At what point in recent history were rom-coms obfuscated by chick-flicks? I Want You Back welcomes the return of the romantic comedy. Two people, recently dumped and drawn together through logical coincidence, conspire to excise their replacements and permanently win back their exes. Emma (Jenny Slate) and (Charlie Day) meet cute exchanging boo-hoos in an office stairwell. Next thing you know, drunken karaoke leads to talk of the merits of dying alone. The following day they meet and begin stalking each other’s formers over lattes. (Gina Rodriguez and Scott Eastwood play the bygone significant others.) Were it the 30s, the stars would have felt right at home on the Paramount backlot, honing to perfection the sparkling dialog a stable of studio writers spent days crafting. I’ve been championing Ms. Slate since Obvious Child first brought us together. One-third of her filmography is devoted to providing voicework on animated features, so it’s time for something with live-action for the adults. She’s one of the finest comedic actresses currently employed and this is a prime example of why. Jason Orley directs. (2022) — Scott Marks
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