The New Romantic (2018) Reviews

• nice acting

  ops-525352019-01-20

  This is not a funny film, its not even romantic, but the acting by jessica barden are memorable and aspiring. she will be 27 this year, but has the ubelievable look of an innocent 14 yrs old girl, but at the same time could have been man hating 30 year old too. her acting really wins the contest of driving this film to a 7. its all about romance, the lack of it, the wish for it, the quest for it, and to live with it. its a hard days night all the way through, as she tries to be seen, but at the same time trying to be a rough tough individualistic female, that means trouble and headbanging against the wall., though it ends surprisingly well ,the travel has been hard. i think a lot of girls from 13-30 will find recognition and a-ha moments , and even a good share of boys will be able to identify oneself with the main character. im impressed by the technical product carly stone has put together, and what amazes me most is the multipel locations and settings that has been used making this flick. if i say at least 50 then im not overestimating. also the make up department shall have gratitude for making ms barden so rich and at the same time so plain and simple.... the story though might feel a bit superficial and shallow for an old grumpy man like me. will i recommend it, of course.....

  More

• never ask the director what the movie's about

  bardavidi2019-01-30

  First off, you should know that this IS a movie critical of sugar baby/daddy culture. It does not, however, pass judgement on its lead Blake played by Jessica Barden. Other than Barden's great acting it doesn't really have any solid cinematography or outstanding memorable score. Plotwise, any scene beside Blake sugar babying feels replaceable and at times plain cliche (halloween party on April) and name-dropping Nora Efron directly to outline her writing roots feels lazy. This is a movie that has its soul and originality inside the criticism on the topic of sugar babies - the decision to respond to a topical subject is wonderful. But cinema demands to be more than TELLING a good story, it's the art of showing it.

  More

• Instant Classic RomCom Film!

  huebnja2018-11-21

  I can't say enough about the writing and directing, the main characters were immediately engaging and I truly loved the back and forth banter between Blake and the people she encounters... Strong work Carly Stone! Jessica Barden was perfect as Blake, the awkwardness couldn't have been more spot on and just so beyond cute. If I had one very minor complaint, I wish we would have seen more of Hayley Law as Nikki, character had a great take on life, numerous classic quotes, and I died laughing when she was staring at Ian after eating the Molly cupcakes. "When Harry Met Sally" is one of my all-time favorites, this was such a great homage to that movie, times when these two specific characters were talking felt similar to the type of dialogue and great interaction execution between Billy Crystal and Bruno Kirby. "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Pretty Woman" throwbacks were just great and whether intended or not, I kept thinking "Breakfast Club" in the very last scene as the characters ride of into the sunset. Arrangements, while more common place these days, are most likely still being viewed by most in only one very specific narrow way, sseex for money, felt like this story helps bring to light that it's more complicated than that. I'm a hopeless romantic, but to avoid complications of a "real relationship", I've entered into several arrangements with a couple being very similar to what was depicted, other movies don't ever seem to get this unique type of relationship right. When Ian offers to help Blake with her debt, after previously telling her he would only provide gifts, she asks why and he says something to the effect of, "I consider it an investment... in you", I have used those same exact words and had to pause the movie as it became surreal. I truly wanted to help the girl start setting up her life, and it wasn't only because I had the pleasure of her company and that we were intimate, she was funny, charismatic, smart, and completely engaging, again, great writing, directing, and acting, capturing reality. The generational thing is always great to see played out, I've had several conversations with women half my age who don't understand the concept of an album, let alone having to pull something physical out, put it on a turntable, and then have to flip the record after only a few songs! It's important for different generations to get an understanding, felt like this movie gave me even more insight into this current coming of age generation. I always open the car door for women when I go out on a date, I let them order first at the restaurant, bring them a towel if/when they need it, send flowers to let them know I'm thinking about them, that's the way some men from generation roll, I always get sad when I'm told, nobody my age does these things. Lastly, hated to see the "Sugar Daddy" turn into a prick, they aren't all like that, and believe me, not all "Sugar Babies" are as sweet and good hearted as Blake, both sides have equal possibilities to take advantage of the other, good for the story to shift in another direction, would love to see a sequel, any possibilities???

  More

• The New Romantic Review of the film

  e-angelou2019-02-22

  It's worth to watch this movie for one important reason: so you know what not to do with your life, not to push beyond thin lines. And also, to process some personality traits that we may all have but we may as well hide. This film shows how possible it is to be on "the other side" by just being yourself, not resisting, not having any moral restrictions, nothing to hold you back. It challenges matters of personality, ethics as well as social interpersonal relationships.

  More

• Just kind of there

  SaidNDone2019-04-28

  "The New Romantic" isn't terrible, it's just bland. Plot-wise, nothing particularly interesting happens the entire movie. The movie just kind of meanders through 2-3 plot-lines without digging very deep into any of them. Additionally, neither of the two main plot-lines are actually closed out, however because neither storyline was really fleshed out in the first place you don't really notice or care. Since this movie is more of a romantic comedy, a dull plot would have been acceptable if in its place there were some form of character/relationship development. But, because the plot is so thin and the pacing is relatively slow... the main character doesn't really interact with anyone outside of her roommate in more than 3-4 scenes, meaning no real development takes place. The net result is a movie that just kind of exists for the sake of it. "The New Romantic" wasn't bad, but I honestly don't think anyone would notice if it didn't exist.

  More