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How to Be Single: A Refreshingly Imperfect Take on Modern Dating

Apr 16, 2024
2 min read

How to Be Single: A Refreshingly Imperfect Take on Modern Dating

How to Be Single isn't your average romantic comedy. Sure, it has the glitz and glam of a big-city rom-com, complete with charming characters and snappy one-liners, but it also delves into the messy, often contradictory nature of modern love and relationships. This film might leave you laughing, crying, and pondering your own views on singledom.


An Exploration of Love...And Not-So-Love


The heart of this film lies in its exploration of the many shades of singledom. Dakota Johnson brings a sweet relatability to Alice, a young woman who questions the traditional path of coupledom and wants to discover herself as an individual first. Leslie Mann's portrayal of Meg, Alice's independent older sister, is both funny and heartbreaking as she wrestles with the desire for a family despite her deeply-rooted commitment to her career.

Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of "How to Be Single" is that it doesn't shy away from depicting the less-than-romantic side of single life. Alice navigates awkward dates, one-night stands, and the gnawing pangs of loneliness with a realism that's both cringe-worthy and endearing.


The Star of the Show: Rebel Wilson


A standout of the film is the unapologetically wild Rebel Wilson as Robin, who serves as Alice's sometimes questionable guide to the world of singlehood. Her bold antics and raunchy humor are a breath of fresh air, injecting a welcome dose of chaos into the proceedings. There's a genuine sense of freedom to her portrayal that might make you want to let loose and embrace your inner Robin, even if just for a little while.






A Sweet But Scattered Narrative

Where the film falls slightly short is in its disjointed storytelling. The inclusion of Lucy (Allison Brie), with her dating algorithm obsession, feels out of place, like a side plot from a different movie altogether. This slightly diminishes the cohesiveness of the narrative and pulls focus away from the core characters.


Imperfect, Yet Endearing


However, the charm of "How to Be Single" lies in its imperfections. Director Christian Ditter cleverly weaves moments of heartfelt poignancy into the film's lighthearted tone, creating a surprisingly layered experience. The ending, though not entirely predictable, offers a refreshingly realistic take on the diverse paths life can take, reminding us that happiness looks different for different people.


Enjoying this article? If you love exploring different love stories, check out That Love Podcast! We bring you original, bite-sized audio rom-coms. Discover your next favorite here:






Final Verdict: Watch It, Especially If You Love NYC


If you're a fan of rom-coms but crave a little more substance, How to Be Single is definitely worth watching. Its ensemble cast, vibrant New York City backdrop, and willingness to delve into the complexities of love and relationships make it a unique addition to the genre. This movie might not tell you how to be single, but it will likely leave you feeling seen, understood, and possibly even inspired to forge your own definition of what it means to be happily single – or not.

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Episode of the Week

That Love Podcast presents: American Bollywood — Episode 2

Format/Genre: A cinematic coming-of-age audio rom-com and romantic audio drama combining first love, friendship, Bollywood dance, family complications and one wonderfully impossible plan.

Logline: Determined to learn the language of dance before Miles Pires Shah disappears from her life, Izzy Lopez finally finds a teacher willing to believe in her — only to discover that chasing the boy of her dreams comes with a £2,000 price tag and the frightening possibility that Miles may finally be starting to notice her.

Izzy Lopez returns to Gloria Okafor after being rejected by four different dance teachers, but this time she finally has an answer to Gloria’s question. She wants to dance because Miles Pires Shah finds something in movement that Izzy has never been able to express with words, and if she can learn that language, perhaps she can finally reach him. Gloria agrees to teach her, beginning what promises to be one of the most difficult dance-training relationships either of them has ever experienced.


The first lesson confirms something everybody already suspected: Izzy is spectacularly terrible. Gloria, however, believes that technique can be built around whatever spark exists inside her, and promises that if there is something there, she will find it and turn Izzy into someone capable of making Miles stop and look.


Then comes the catch. Gloria’s training requires a £2,000 deposit, leaving Izzy with an impossible financial problem, no real savings and the sudden realisation that learning to dance may require far more than determination. But just as the dream begins to feel further away, a quiet encounter at a bus stop finally gives Izzy something she has wanted for years: a genuine conversation with Miles.


For a few brief moments, Miles laughs with her, remembers her name and allows Izzy to see beneath the carefully controlled version of himself he shows everyone else. Izzy leaves believing she still has a long way to go before Miles truly sees her — unaware that a forgotten red scarf may already have given him a reason to look twice.


American Bollywood Episode 2 deepens this romantic podcast into a story about perseverance, vulnerability and those tiny moments when two people who have always existed in the same world finally begin moving toward each other.

Starring Berr Kell and Emerson Peery

Written by Joao Nsita

SPONSORED

Sponsored by That Love Podcast

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This article is proudly supported by That Love Podcast — a destination for modern romance, lifestyle inspiration, and captivating audio storytelling.

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