THE WAY WE WEREN'T

Cinemavixion Review

In "The Way We Weren't," director Rick Hays delivers a contemporary romantic comedy that playfully explores the often-humorous pitfalls of starting a new relationship under the weight of past romantic failures. The film centers on Charlotte and Brandon, portrayed with compelling chemistry by Fiona Gubelmann and Ben Lawson, who meet at a particularly vulnerable moment, each having recently endured a spectacular relationship implosion. Driven by a desire to make a fresh start and perhaps impress their new potential partners, they embark on a journey of 'bending the truth,' exaggerating their successes and fabricating personas. This charade, however, becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as their fabricated selves prove surprisingly compatible, leading them to fall deeply in love. The narrative cleverly escalates the stakes when the couple decides to move in together, a decision that inevitably brings their carefully constructed web of deception to the brink of unraveling. The film excels in its depiction of the ensuing chaos, presenting a scenario that is both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly sweet, as the couple is forced to confront their true, imperfect selves. The inclusion of Tobin Bell in the cast adds an interesting dynamic, though his role isn't detailed in the provided plot summaries. While the film garnered a 5.3/10 rating on IMDb, its charm lies in its relatable exploration of vulnerability, the lies we tell for love, and the ultimate liberation found in embracing authenticity. "The Way We Weren't" is a testament to the idea that true connection often blossoms not in perfection, but in the shared acknowledgment of our flaws.