‘Which Brings Me To You’ Review – Great Leads In An Otherwise Meandering And Unsettled Love Story

Rom-Coms are generally crowd-pleasers. The premises are straightforward, sprinkle in some convincing leads and a sweeping soundtrack, and it’s movie magic. Of course, while tried and true, that formula can be challenging to replicate. In recent years, the genre has been primarily found on streaming, though as of late, the theatrical experience is resurging. See Ticket to Paradise from 2022 and last year’s Anyone But You as examples. So, the genre is making a comeback with audiences and hitting its mark. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Which Brings Me to You. It is a book-inspired rom-com that boasts two great leads with champagne-like chemistry. However, the story is listless, and the overall takeaway is repetitive, which says something about a genre that prides itself on formulas.

The film is based on the book Which Brings Me To You: A Novel of Confessions by Steven Almond and Juliana Baggott, and it stars Lucy Hale as Jane and Nat Wolff as Will, who meet in an impromptu manner at a wedding. After a brief makeout session in a coat closet, they soon discover they are similar souls. Both are down on their luck when it comes to love. They talk about past loves and reminisce over their failed relationships in the afternoon and later in the evening. As they become more candid with each other, the seeds of a romance are planted. 

The film builds itself around Jane and Will’s past relationships and why each one went to pot. These vignettes comprise much of the runtime, intersecting with the two characters talking. While the focus is on the present and the budding romance of Will and Jane, some past scenes detailing their failed relationships would have made for unique film concepts. Two in particular are the film’s dramatic moments. While intriguing, they do feel out of place with the film’s otherwise flowery romantic tones. Generally speaking, when the flashbacks are more engaging than the running narrative, there might be a problem. The flashbacks are the most compelling parts of the film, and sadly, they run too short and end right as things get interesting.  

That is not to say the story is atrocious – far from it, but there is no element of surprise. The beats are familiar, and even fans of the genre may find themselves checking the clock. What Which Brings Me To You has is two leads in sync. Their chemistry is like opening a bottle of champagne: bubbly and enjoyable. Hale lights up the screen with an infectious smile. She can deliver a stirring reaction and emotional punch even with a few dramatic moments. Wolff is also a natural in the genre. With the adorkable swagger, he can bring something more refreshing than the stereotypical man who keeps his emotions buttoned up until the third act. 

Hale and Wolff do their best with the material, and fortunately, their chemistry is enough to keep any momentum going until the end. It is a shame the story does not better serve the pair. It could be a result of the page-to-screen translation or the conflicting tones, running between light-hearted comedy on the one hand and heavy drama on the other. 

Ultimately, that may keep Which Brings Me To You from rising to the top of the pack like other romantic comedies. While the chemistry is there, there is a conflict over the tone. Confusion leads to a rushed finale that feels more like a laundry list than something heartfelt. For a final word, in a film about two characters talking nonstop, the last shot is of their silence, perhaps a perfect symbol of a movie that does not know what it wants to say. 

Which Brings Me To You will debut exclusively in theaters on January 19, 2024, courtesy of DECAL Releasing. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyJCO2f1yX0]