The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, “Regretting You,” directed by Josh Boone, hits theaters on March 15, 2024. The movie intertwines elements of tragedy and romance but struggles to balance its emotional weight with moments of levity. Featuring performances by Allison Williams and Dave Franco, the film aims to resonate with audiences familiar with Hoover’s storytelling.
The narrative begins in high school, introducing Morgan and Jonah, played by Williams and Franco, respectively. They share undeniable chemistry, yet they are entangled in relationships with each other’s siblings. The film quickly escalates into a complex tale as Morgan discovers her unexpected pregnancy in a convenience store restroom, setting the stage for 17 years of evolving family dynamics.
Fast forward to the present, and the couples remain together, though the circumstances appear to have shifted in awkward ways. Morgan is married to Chris, the boyfriend who once commented on her behavior while intoxicated, while Jonah and Jenny co-parent a child from a one-night stand. The film explores the tension between Morgan and her daughter Clara, portrayed by Mckenna Grace, who aspires to attend drama school, presenting a relatable yet contrived conflict.
Clara’s storyline introduces Miller, the charming yet dubious character played by Mason Thames. Their budding romance faces predictable hurdles that lack depth. The portrayal of teenage relationships feels superficial, leading to a series of repetitive conflicts that detract from the film’s overall narrative flow.
Tragedy strikes when an accident disrupts the family’s fragile equilibrium, resulting in significant emotional turmoil. While fans of Hoover’s work may anticipate this twist, the execution lacks suspense and emotional clarity. A notable moment arises when Jonah’s baby comically finds itself in a shopping cart between bottles of wine, reflecting the film’s attempt at humor amidst the drama.
Despite the film’s attempts at poignancy, the overall tone oscillates between heartfelt moments and overt corniness. The climax is marked by a resolution that many viewers may find overly sentimental. Critics have pointed out that the film’s reliance on familiar tropes and predictable plot twists fails to deliver the depth expected from a story based on Hoover’s successful novel.
“Regretting You,” produced by Paramount Pictures, carries a PG-13 rating for sexual content, teen drug and alcohol use, and brief strong language. With a runtime of 117 minutes, the film offers a blend of emotional highs and lows, ultimately leaving audiences with a sense of dissatisfaction rather than the catharsis they may seek.
As “Regretting You” makes its theatrical debut, it invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of love and loss, though it may not resonate as deeply as its source material. The anticipation built around the film, following the success of last year’s adaptation of “It Ends With Us,” suggests that audiences will enter the multiplex with high expectations, even if the final product might not fully deliver.