People We Meet On Vacation is a hilarious and sweet romantic comedy that works so well because of the incredible lead actors and their chemistry.
As much as I love to read, I very rarely can find the time, so while Netflix’s People We Meet On Vacation is based on the book of the same name by Emily Henry, I went into this film having no idea what to expect. It didn’t take long before I realized I was going to absolutely love this movie. Right from the start, it nails the comedy aspect of a romantic comedy. Sure, it is a bit on the predictable side, but that mostly comes from it being labeled as a RomCom.
I instantly fell in love with Alex (Tom Blyth) and Puppy (Emily Bader). Their on-screen chemistry is insane. It comes through as believable when they are friends, but also as we see more of them clearly pining for one another – even when they are in relationships with other people. Both Emily Bader and Tom Blyth are extremely funny people, which makes them great choices for these roles. Alex and Poppy are complete opposites, and they are friends first. That shines through with the brilliant writing and the incredible acting.
One of my favorite things about People We Meet On Vacation is how it is structured. We essentially start at the end, and through flashbacks, we learn about how this unlikely friendship was formed and what happened between Alex and Poppy. It might seem strange to start off the story knowing something happened between the two of them to cause them to no longer speak to one another, but it actually works.
I found myself hanging on nearly every word and looking forward to each and every vacation that these two took together, all to learn more pieces of the puzzle. Poppy and Alex are friends who go on vacations together, that much was clear from the start. But their relationship is a complicated one, and I loved every ounce of drama I was given. It is easy to root for these two, which is largely due to the performances of Tom Blyth and Emily Bader.
It isn’t just the lead performances that stand out, however. There are many supporting characters that Alex and Poppy meet along the way, and each of them brings something special to the table. From Alex’s brother David (Miles Heizer) and his fiancé Nam (Tommy Do), to Poppy’s boss Swapna (Jameela Jamil), everyone is an integral part of their story.
This movie is funny. Like laugh-out-loud funny. Nearly every joke lands. At the same time, there are quite a few scenes that will have viewers tearing up. I know I was happy I brought tissues.
Each vacation adds something new to Alex and Puppy’s dynamic, which is much appreciated. Nothing feels out of place or like it was shoe-horned in. I left this movie wanting so badly to travel thanks to all the incredible locations that they visited.
Overall, People We Meet On Vacation is the epitome of a great romantic comedy. Thanks to two incredible lead performances and a chemistry that creates tension that could be cut with a knife, this is an unforgettable viewing experience. I might not be able to compare it to the book (yet), but I can only imagine that fans will be thrilled with the outcome.
P.S. Emily Henry fans, keep your eyes peeled for a fun cameo!
About People We Meet On Vacation
Free-spirited Poppy (Emily Bader) and routine-loving Alex (Tom Blyth) have been unlikely best friends for a decade, living in different cities but spending every summer vacation together. The careful balance of their friendship is put to the test when they begin to question what has been obvious to everyone else — could they actually be the perfect romantic match?
People We Meet On Vacation starts streaming on Netflix on January 9th.
