I'll admit I have a weakness for these "moment in time" romantic movies. From the Before Trilogy to Weekend to Brief Encounter to other similar films, these stories that find two people connecting in a singular moment, passing through each other's lives without perhaps a sense of certainty to if they will connect again are stories that tend to push my buttons in all the right way. These movies tend to be talky, letting the characters connect through their conversation, letting us connect to them through their conversations. This isn't the standard rom-com formula which focuses on a meet cute followed by some barrier which must be overcome before the two are reunited to live happily every after. This is about how two people react to passing through each others' lives if only for a moment.
Rye Lane is the latest in this genre and it is as smart, funny, adorable, and charming as the best of them. Each of the parts comes together so well from the chemistry of the leads to the quick and sharp script. But perhaps the strongest aspect is the amazing direction from first timer Allen-Miller. This is one of those exciting first film debuts which just leaps off the screen with an energy and richness that often experienced directors aren't able to capture. She enmeshes her characters into a specific time and place and flushes out their day in such a way as to feel like we are fully there with them, experiencing it all.
And it is just so lovely all the way through. Our protagonists Dom and Yas are just so wonderfully human, imperfect, and delightful. We can relate to them and yet they are also quite aspirational. Watching them find themselves and each other is just so satisfying and honest feeling.
I loved Allen-Miller's little reference to her idol Steve McQueen (I hear you!!) and the momentary cameo by Firth is surprisingly hilarious. Rye Lane is a breath of fresh air in a time when a good romance movie is hard to find.
Rye Lane
Starring: David Jonsson, Vivian Oparah, Colin Firth
Director: Raine Allen-Miller
Writers: Nathan Bryan, Tom Melia
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