Movie Breakdown: I Want You Back

Pre-Screening Stance:

Director Jason Orley’s Big Time Adolescence (back in 2019 with Pete Davidson as the lead) was solid, and I’ve always been into both Charlie Day and Jenny Slate. Definitely expecting good things here.

Post-Screening Ramble:

I really enjoyed I Want You Back. The film has a solidly screwed up plot that’s centered around two recently dumped people, Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate), who decide to try and ruin each other’s ex’s new relationships. Their hope is that the former flames will realize what they left behind and then will come running back to them, and even though it won’t happen through, you know, free will, they’re more than eager to give it a go. So, Peter sets out to buddy up with Noah (Scott Eastwood) and convince him to get back with Emma, and Emma starts to move in on Logan (Manny Jacinto) in attempt to get Anne (Gina Rodriguez) to break up with him and return to Peter. And guess what? It doesn’t go as planned. What does happen though is a whole lot of funny and very charming moments between Day and Slate, who have great on-screen chemistry. So much so in fact that I could probably just sit around and watch them ramble on incessantly about nothing. Also deserving of praise here is director Jason Orley, who does a great job of balancing the humorous and heartfelt moments in a way that keeps the film grounded but still entertaining.

I Want You Back is on Prime Video as of today, February 11. You should definitely check it out, doubly so if you’re into rom coms.

One Last Thought:

There’s a scene in this movie that features Jenny Slate performing Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors, and I have to say, she makes for a pretty great Audrey. I’d be down for a new big screen version with her.