It’d be unfair to this lovely, creative movie to call it a rom-com since that implies, shall we say, a lesser creative and artistic eye. Instead we’ll go with hang-out romance that just so happens to be very funny. That’s better.

Rye Lane is about two Brits who meet and hang out one evening in London. They talk about this and that but mainly their exes as they fall for each other over the course of the night.

Yeah, it’s basically an updated Before movie with an eye for pop colors, wildly creative flashbacks, and inventive camera work. There’s various moments where I just had to laugh with appreciation at the gumption of the angles, camera movements, and shots. This is a truly creative, artistic work of a visually refreshing cinema. I saw it on Hulu at home… it must have been eye-popping on the big screen.

As a character study and a budding romance, it’s very good too… but I’ll be direct: my attention on their story was often distracted by the wonderful direction and editing. The two leads are attractive and have great chemistry but they don’t really have amazing things to say. They are funny and sweet though… but when my focus keeps getting pulled away by another amazing wide-angle tracking shot of a London street, I guess that’s kind of a negative on an otherwise cool film.

But I certainly did laugh and the film’s conclusion made me smile. This is a special and interesting film on multiple layers. I can totally see someone vibing more with the characters than the choice of lenses and I can see the exact opposite… and the lucky few that jell with both have a truly fantastic movie to add to their library. I really dug this film, though not in every way it deserves.

Score: 88