Synopsis
“Hooking Up” is a 2020 film that combines the elements of romantic comedy with a drama. The film’s two main characters are both emotionally struggling and through fate, they manage to help each other confront their pasts. The film effectively helps one understand the journey of self-discovery, relationships and the help of a second chance.
“Hooking Up” features Brittany Snow as Darla, a sex columnist whose career and personal life are in shambles due to a scandal. Her life is marked by a wild, unapologetically promiscuous lifestyle. Not only does she lose her job due to a string of wildly inappropriate behaviors, but she also faces the professional implications of a mounting personal crisis. In her case, the sex addiction that she is dealing with is quite difficult to reconcile with her self-image.
Bailey, a Sam Richardson character, is on a complete other side of the spectrum as Darla. Recently diagnosed with testicular cancer, Bailey is kind-hearted and mild-mannered. Unlike Darla, Bailey is extremely emotionally reserved and a life of expectations has led him to be cautious by nature. In fact, he has to go through the surgery of getting one of his testicles removed.
Bailey is in therapy for an adjustment disorder and supporting a friend, while Darla is in therapy for her sex addiction. Their first interaction feels uncomfortable, and a bit hostile. Things shift, however, when Darla decides to make a last-ditch effort towards self-redemption and resurrect her writing career. She enlists Bailey to join her on a road trip across America, her aim is to capture the emotional aftermath of her sexual encounters in a therapeutic revisit with her former partners. Surprisingly, Bailey, seeking a pre-surgery zest for life, is intrigued and agrees to join.
Their journey, which is initially an experiment, becomes an emotional road trip of self-discovery and healing. Along the way, what Bailey and Darla learn is far more vulnerable than what they initially decided to share. Underneath the brash persona, Darla exhibits an acute sense of self-hatred, while the shy, composed Bailey is a caged ball of rebellion suppressed by social norms on how one should live.
In the course of the trip, they deal with Darla’s addiction with drugs and emotional issues, and Bailey’s family issues such as his estranged family and his fear of not being seen as “enough.” As they travel further, their bond strengthens further and what started as strange partnership evolves into something more meaningful. They are made to think if their seemingly opposite ways of living could actually go together instead of clash.
Every individual has the ability to feel exposed, and feel vulnerable, as well have the ability to accept, and grow into their body, and to experience intimacy, and so the film also does. All of these are themes a person can relate to, while also maintaining a light hearted tone with a deep touch. Instead of focusing on the superficial aspects of a man and woman falling in love, the film concentrates on emotional sincerity.
Cast & Crew
With Brittany Snow as Darla, her interpretation of the character is both bold and acting on a deeper emotional level, thus bringing depth to a role prone to typecasting. As Snow shows, “There is chaos, sadness, and the eventual growth of a woman try to rebuild her life,” along with her sharp and passionate humor.
Sam Richardson, who has starred in comedic roles in series such as Veep, adds warmth, charm, and relatability to the character Bailey. Richardson’s performance, while understated, adds emotional resonance, and Bailey is not simply a sidekick to Darla; he is a fully developed character who has his own arc.
Vivian Bang, Jordana Brewster, and Amy Pietz further enhance the supporting cast, contributing color and depth. They each bring their own unique energy in exploring or critiquing past relationships, and their dramatic interpretations spark interest.
Nico Raineau, who directed the film, is credited as a co-writer alongside Lauren Schacher. Together, the two build a story that is humorous but also thoughtful. Northeastern directors tend toward the pushy style, but Raineau’s is much more gentle; he avoids forcing character growth, which encourages organic and believable development. While not always dramatic, much of the dialogue is sharp, as it is in the case of Darla and Bailey’s fights with their respective personal struggles.
Kristoffer Carrillo’s cinematography not only features the emotional closeness of the lead characters but also the road-trip-sceneries, blending the story with visuals in a way that adds to the film’s narrative. Franco’s score provides light themes that evoke emotion, and blends well with the tone of the film.
IMDb Ratings and Reception
“Hooking Up” holds a 5.5/10 rating on IMDb which reflects a moderate reception to the film. The viewers were split on the the film’s daring premise and how well it was executed. While a portion of the viewers applauded the movie’s effort to break the mold of a traditional romantic comedy, dealing with issues such as addiction, illness, and emotional trauma, others were simply put off by the lack of coherency in the balancing act between comedy and drama.
A section of the reviewers supported the film because of the storyline and the cast’s performances. Many reviewers noted how Brittany Snow and Sam Richardson invigorated the film, making the uneven pacing and tonal shifts more tolerable to the viewers.
On the contrary, some people were irritated the film’s use of lowbrow comedy and cliché jokes. Others pointed out that the emotional build-up of the film seemed shallow and wooden despite the extensive subjects that were being addressed. Generally, the movie was praised for attempting to break the traditional mold of a romantic comedy by showcasing an imperfect, non-glamorous, mentally troubled female character.
Ultimately, “Hooking Up” attracted a specific group of fans, especially those interested in indie rom-coms with a blend of humor, heart, and emotional depth. While it may not have achieved mainstream recognition, the film distinguishing itself by addressing taboo topics with a blend of candor and charm.
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