This meta romantic comedy manages to avoid becoming too cutesy or twee by putting its leading lady front and centre and letting her do most of the heavy lifting. In one of her first leads, Rebel Wilson manages to expand her persona beyond her lovable, offbeat sensibilities without straying too far from them, striking a delicate balance between more of the same and a taking a step forward as a performer. She’s surrounded by first-rate comedic talent all around, from Liam Hemsworth to Betty Gilpin to an all-too-brief appearance by Jennifer Saunders, but it’s Wilson’s chemistry with co-star Adam Devine that gives the movie its emotional center. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and stand-out segments, including a jubilant and exuberant climactic re-enactment of Madonna’s “Express Yourself” that would have even a curmudgeon taping their toes.
Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)
