There are two things you need for a romantic comedy to be truly fantastic: great characters and palpable chemistry between the leads; thankfully, Netflix's People We Meet In Vacation has both in spades. Director Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud) brings Emily Henry's 2021 same-named novel to life with a great deal of warmth that allows the audience to be transported into this compelling story.
In recent years, it's been hard to find good romantic comedies that feel like the ones we grew up on — When Harry Met Sally, While You Were Sleeping, You've Got Mail. The best rom-coms all seem to capture the magic of love and life in a way that's difficult to replicate, but People We Meet On Vacation gets as close as I've seen in a long time.
People We Meet On Vacation Is A Charming And Fun Romantic Comedy
People We Meet On Vacation tells the story of Poppy Wright (Emily Bader) and Alex Nilsen (Tom Blyth) in dual timelines, with the modern-day narrative following the two when they're reunited after a years-long estrangement. In flashback, audiences get to see Poppy and Alex's friendship develop through their yearly vacations, where they travel around the world and make memories through unique experiences.
When People We Meet On Vacation begins, Poppy is a bit of a mess. The free-spirited writer has grown melancholic about her life living in New York City and working for a travel magazine; she finds herself missing her best friend, the straight-laced Alex, who's moved home to live in their hometown of Linfield, Ohio. Then, the occasion of his brother's wedding in Barcelona, Spain, presents the perfect opportunity to reconnect.
What follows is an entertaining romp across the world that's anchored entirely on the relationship between Poppy and Alex, who go from grudging road trip buddies to best friends to something else. The magic of People We Meet On Vacation
It's clear that People We Meet On Vacation was crafted by people who love love — and not just the idealistic side of romantic love. This movie depicts a kind of love that's messy and human, and takes work and compromise. But the obstacles that Poppy and Alex have to overcome make the inevitable happy ending of this particular romantic comedy feel that much more earned and wonderful.
A big reason the film works so well are the characters of Poppy and Alex, who were originally created by Henry but are brought to life so vividly by Bader and Blyth. Audiences care about these characters from the book because Henry made them feel real. They have flaws, and they make mistakes, and that's why their story is so compelling. The performances of Blyth and Bader take those characters further, making them feel even more real.
Bader's performance as Poppy is fun and bubbly, and, at times, so vulnerable it will leave you feeling like your heart has been cracked open. Similarly, Blyth gives Alex the charm and warmth the character needs to be just as likable as Poppy, while offering a steady counterpoint to her flightiness. The actors manage to capture the characters' essence and bring to life their chemistry, which is what gives the movie its magic.
Beyond Bader and Blyth, People We Meet On Vacation has a whole supporting cast of delightful side characters. There's Jameela Jamil playing Poppy's surprisingly supportive boss at the travel magazine, and Alan Ruck and Molly Shannon playing Poppy's parents sending her and Alex off on their first vacation together in an especially hilarious scene. Still, the movie is truly Poppy and Alex's story, so they're the main focus, and the actors lead the film exceptionally well.
Since People We Meet On Vacation adapts Emily Henry's book of the same name, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the movie does make some minor changes to certain aspects of the story, and the settings of Poppy and Alex's vacations. None of them detract from the experience of the film, and some even strengthen the story of Poppy and Alex so that it feels tighter — which is necessary for the roughly two-hour runtime.
Altogether, People We Meet On Vacation is a wildly entertaining and heartwarming romantic comedy that's perfect for fans of the genre, those who've read Henry's original novel and anyone looking for a date night movie as we head into Valentine's Day season. Like all the best classic romantic comedies, Poppy and Alex's story is sure to capture the hearts of everyone who watches People We Meet On Vacation. It certainly captured mine.
