Regardless of how much I wished and hoped, Irreplaceable You which stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michiel Huisman is not a good movie.  However sweet the premise of the love story may be, and as tragic as the story’s end is, the execution is simply not satisfying.

It’s odd to say this of a film about a young couple whose love story is cut short by terminal illness, but I kept thinking, where’s the heart, the soul? Why am I not connecting to this story – let alone the characters?

Overall, I don’t think I really bought much of what was happening throughout. My viewing session kept being interrupted by thoughts of ‘this is not great’ and ‘The Fault In Our Stars (2014)’ did a much better job of telling a similar story.

What I know for sure is that story editing, the writing, cliches, and perhaps insufficient chemistry between the two leads have something to do with why Irreplaceable You is disappointing. There were a few moments where I thought, ‘this is where it takes a turn and gets better,’ but it never did.

If I had to pick a thing or two I liked, I’d say the moment in Central Park during the ‘Did you know’ game, because I learned one or two things I didn’t already know.

There’s also Jacki Weaver. However small the part or disappointing the film, ‘Queen Weaver’ never seems to give a bad performance. I haven’t watched all her movies, of course, but I always buy everything she’s selling. The Voices (2014), for example.

 The Fault in Our Stars (2014), definitely watch that instead. Really.

Happy Film Loving,

G