REVIEW: YOUR PLACE OR MINE

YOUR PLACE OR MINE - Let's chat about setups and payoffs in screenplays and scripts. Now streaming on #Netflix. #SpoilerAlert

There's really not much to say here. It's a cute, traditional romcom. There's nothing too unique about it, but it's decently structured. A good watch if you're looking for something to pass the time, but it won't change your life. 

What the film does well is pay off most of the setups.
- It's set up that Peter, our male lead, is in marketing, which means he's great at sales. We also learn that Jack, our female lead Debbie's child, is too small for the hockey team. These setups are paid off when Peter talks the coach into letting Jack play. 
- It's set up that Peter has daddy issues and lost his dad at 13. Not only is Jack 13, but he is also allergic to everything. It is paid off when Debbie finds his manuscript about a 13 yo boy with daddy issues who becomes allergic to the world as he processes his father's death. 
- Two expected payoffs that never came: With Jack being allergic to everything, I expected that he'd have an attack because of something Peter did. But this never comes into play even though we spend minutes explaining how fragile Jack is. Secondly, we totally blow over the fact that Debbie sent Peter's book to a publisher without his consent. Because Peter hid his writing for so long, we can only assume he was keeping it to himself for a reason, even if that reason was fear. It was odd that he had no negative reaction to Debbie's actions. It would've made for great tension. 

Critique: Speaking of tension, the climax fell flat. If they had lived in their disappointment in each other for a breath, choosing each other would've been an even larger payoff. Instead, they are angry and makeup within seconds in the film. Felt rushed. 

What say you? Did you root for this couple?

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author

Shannan E. Johnson is a former creative executive at The Syfy Channel turned CEO + Head Consultant of The Professional Pen, a script consultancy that develops screenwriters from idea to pitch to become more confident storytellers ready for a professional screenwriting career, and consults with scripted development teams at entertainment companies to streamline their notes process to get to pre-production more efficiently.