‘Love Type D’ Reviewed: A Charming And Silly Rom-Com
by Gary Catig
Romantic relationships can require a lot of work and when they end, it can be pretty contentious depending on whether you’re the dumper or dumpee. However, what if you were genetically predisposed to be in either of those groups and it didn’t matter how many different partners you had, it would always have the same results. That’s the backdrop of the film, Love Type D, as you follow its heroine, Frankie Browne (Maeve Dermody), and her attempts to cure her dumpee gene.
To say Frankie is unlucky in love is an understatement. Her most recent “the one” enlists his younger brother, Wilbur (Rory Stroud), to break up with her. In an awkward gesture of pity, Wilbur brings up the genetic relationship findings to help comfort her. That only makes her more curious and after performing some research of her own, finds that she tested positive for the gene. Wilbur, who is a young scientific prodigy, has a hypothetical cure and the two form an unlikely partnership with Frankie as the test subject.
Writer and director, Sasha Collington, develops a smart script for this rom-com. There are different types of humor including exaggerated over reaction as Frankie wrestles with her condition and even something dark and twisted with regards to her first boyfriend. The gags and situations are sharp and entertaining and contribute to an enjoyable experience.
Adding to the absurdity is the genuine friendship that grows between Frankie and Wilbur. You wouldn’t think a grown adult would take relationship and scientific advice from a child no matter how brilliant he is. Their interactions add to the charm of the movie and since Wilbur is so young, it keeps things light hearted. Stroud does an admirable job in the role balancing the aspiring academic with empathetic colleague while still maintaining a youthful naivete.
Though there are other subplots such as Frankie convincing her less popular co-workers about the science, it’s her personal journey that drives the compelling narrative. She is forced to reflect on her previous boyfriends and reassess them without the lens of longing and regret. She realizes the flaws in the failed relationships and how she unrealistically romanticized each ex. The combination of Collington’s writing and Dermody’s portrayal make Frankie someone to root for.
Love Type D is fun but it becomes a little bogged down in the end. There’s a whole segment following Frankie’s epiphany moment that feels rushed getting through and is only necessary to tie up one lose end with Frankie and her co-workers. Maybe it’s to add to the comedy and ridiculousness, but falls flat.
The film is a charming and silly exploration of a scientific “what if?” in a rom-com setting.
Love Type D is available now On Demand everywhere.