love again movie review imdb

‘Love Again’ Review: Far-Fetched Romance Finds Celine Dion Ready for Her Close-Up … and Her Comeback

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan play depressed singles who hit it off after exchanging a series of embarrassing text messages in a movie featuring Celine Dion in her big-screen debut.

By Peter Debruge

Peter Debruge

Chief Film Critic

• ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ Review: Viggo Mortensen Disappears From His Own Western for a Spell, Letting Vicky Krieps Lead 5 days ago
• Cannes Awards: Female-Centered Stories Win Big in Cannes, as Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ Earns Palme d’Or 2 weeks ago
• ‘The Most Precious of Cargoes’ Review: An Animated Fable From the Director of ‘The Artist’ Finds Hope in the Holocaust 2 weeks ago

We’ve all heard Celine Dion ’s “My Heart Will Go On,” but if you really listen to the lyrics — “Love can touch us one time / And last for a lifetime” — the tragedy-defying hope they describe applies to more than just comely Rose learning to live without her blue-eyed cabin boy. Eighteen years after “Titanic” made her a mega-star, Dion lost her husband and manager, René Angélil, and the singer has made no secret of her struggle to move on since.

Related Stories

Playstation state of play underscores muted release year ahead of summer game fest, israel's eurovision entry noa kirel to star in futuristic thriller 'wonder' from 'fauda' banner yes studios (exclusive), popular on variety.

Two years after watching the love of her life struck down by a self-driving car, or else crushed by a fleet of scooters (we’ll never know, since said accident occurs right in front of Mira’s eyes but outside our view), Chopra Jonas’ character is having a hard time letting go. Without realizing that Rob is on the receiving end, she starts flooding his new work phone with wincingly intimate texts — messages about how she misses the smell of her soul mate, and her desire to be naked together.

Enter Celine Dion, whom Rob’s been assigned to profile for the only-in-the-movies newspaper where he “works.” Played by the Scottish “Outlander” star with a disconcerting, what-is-he-hiding stare, he brings a strange energy to the role. Rob could be Alexander Skarsgård’s serial-killer sibling. The only difference between this guy and all the chiseled-abs dudes Mira swipes past on Bumble is that Rob wears shirts — though they don’t appear to have been washed in a few days.

Edgier than the film’s target audience as he is, Rob doesn’t think much of Dion, dismissing her lyrics as sentimental and trite — which even a Celine Dion super fan (like myself) would concede to be true. Dion’s power is in her delivery: the pure chest-thumping conviction with which she howls lines like “Where does my heart beat now? / Where is the sound / That only echoes through the night?” Slouchy and unshaven, Rob shows up to interview the singer, and she turns the tables: “You have the presence of a pair of used underwear,” she quips, her Canadian accent undercutting the comic timing and bite of that barb. (Where’s Cher when you need her?) The movie would be more interesting with some of that “Devil Wears Prada” venom, whereas Dion comes off … well, decent. Hence, the self-help vibe.

There’s not much chemistry between Chopra Jonas and Heughan — and how could there be, since they’re stuck in a one-way conversation for half the movie? Plus, Mira’s texts are just so sad. At one point, after Rob spends the night, Mira wakes up to hear him talking with her younger sister Suzy (Sofia Barclay), and it seems for a second that perhaps he’s found a better match — someone with the capacity to smile. But Mira must surely find a way to love again, and there seems to be potential, if they can just get past their One Big Secret, which will require an absurdly unprofessional demonstration of love on Rob’s part.

Again, that’s where love guru Dion comes in handy, playing a barely fictionalized version of herself as she shares details from her real-life relationship with Angélil. Though we see Dion’s strong survivor side, her vulnerability remains one of her most endearing assets — the very same quality that makes her persona too much for some people to take. “Love Again” was never intended for the skeptics, whereas admirers will appreciate the comeback aspect of her first film role. It’s a big-screen romance that aspires to making fans feel the way Dion’s music does, like their hearts can go on.

Reviewed at Screening Room, Culver City, Calif., May 4, 2023. MPA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 104 MIN.

• Production: A Sony release of a Screen Gems presentation, in association with 2.0 Entertainment, of a Thunder Road Films production. Producers: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Esther Hornstein. Executive producers: Doug Belgrad, Sophie Cassidy, Louise Killin, Jonathan Fuhrman, Celine Dion, Dave Platel, Denis Savage.
• Crew: Director, writer: Jim Strouse, based on the motion picture “Text for You” (“SMS für Dich”), based on the novel by Sofie Cramer and written by Andrea Wilson, Malte Welding, Karoline Herfurth, Sophie Kluge, Anike Decker. Camera: Andrew Dunn. Editor: Jesse Gordon. Music: Keegan DeWitt.
• With: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, Celine Dion, Russell Tovey, Steve Oram, Arinzé Kene, Lydia West, Sofia Barclay, Celia Imrie, Omid Djalili.

More from Variety

Condé nast reaches deal with union, averting picket line at met gala, ai could contribute to virtual production sector growth, 2024 streaming hits point way to post-peak tv ip strategy, more from our brands, kane brown and jelly roll have a ‘powerful’ new song about mental health on the way, monterey car week just got more memorable with robb report’s pebble beach package, how to solve college sports’ gender discrimination problem, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, evangeline lilly is ‘stepping away’ from acting: ‘for now, this is where i belong’, verify it's you, please log in.

Emmy Awards Nominations 2024

Predictions, limited series.

• Baby Reindeer 9/2
• Lessons in Chemistry 5/1

Movie/Limited Actress

• Jodie Foster 37/10
• Brie Larson 9/2
• Juno Temple 11/2

Movie/Limited Actor

• Jon Hamm 4/1
• Andrew Scott 5/1
• Richard Gadd 11/2

Drama Series

• The Crown 11/2
• The Morning Show 7/1

Drama Actress

• Jennifer Aniston 9/2
• Imelda Staunton 9/2
• Emma Stone 5/1

Drama Actor

• Gary Oldman 4/1
• Dominic West 5/1
• Hiroyuki Sanada 11/2

Comedy Series

• The Bear 4/1
• Abbott Elementary 13/2

Comedy Actress

• Ayo Edebiri 7/2
• Jean Smart 37/10
• Quinta Brunson 9/2

Comedy Actor

• Jeremy Allen White 82/25
• Martin Short 9/2 -
• Larry David 9/2

‘Love Again’: Critics and audiences clash over Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan rom-com

• May 11, 2023 3:00PM

On May 5, 2023, Sony Pictures released “ Love Again ” starring Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the romantic comedy. A young woman (Chopra Jonas) tries to ease the pain of her fiancé’s death by sending romantic texts to his old cell phone number, and forms a connection with the man the number has been reassigned to (Heughan). The ensemble cast includes Grammy winner Celine Dion , Russell Tovey , Steve Oram , Omid Djalili , and Lydia West .

While critics have widely panned the film, landing it at a paltry 22% on Rotten Tomatoes from 23 reviews, audiences are swooning, with over 250 everyday movie-goers putting it at a 92% fresh audience score. So what’s causing this clash? Read our full review round-up below.

SEE 17 most anticipated movies for May include ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ ‘Fast X,’ ‘You Hurt My Feelings’ … [PHOTOS]

Avi Offer of NYC Movie Guru praises the film, noting, “Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan have palpable chemistry which helps you to want Mira and Rob to end up together. Chemistry is everything in a romcom, so kudos to the casting director and Jim Strouse for selecting romantic leads who are very charismatic. The supporting actors and actresses are also terrific including Celia Imrie , who makes the most out of her few scenes, Omid Djalili, and Steve Oram who has a hilarious scene as Rob’s editor. Then there’s the wonderful music by Celine Dion including some of her new songs. At a running time of 1 hour and 44 minutes, ‘Love Again’ is a heartwarming, tender and witty romantic comedy. If you enjoy 90’s romcoms like ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘While You Were Sleeping,’ you’ll probably enjoy ‘Love Again,’ too.”

Mark Dujsik of Mark Reviews Movies notes, “So many things go wrong with ‘Love Again,’ almost immediately from the start, that it’s quite the struggle to figure out if anything actually goes right within this wholly predictable and occasionally creepy attempt at a romantic story. There’s at least a little bit of chemistry between the two leads, and while that would usually be something, it’s beside the point in this movie. The setup of the central relationship is simply too contrived and discomforting to care if the actors seem as if they’re having fun playing at falling in love.”

SEE Watch the epic trailer for ‘Citadel,’ the world’s second-most expensive show

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics writes, “Let me preface this by saying that I’m a big fan of writer/director James C. Strouse. Two of his previous films, ‘The Incredible Jessica James’ and ‘People Places Things,’ both featuring Jessica Williams , are wonderful blends of humor and heart about the way that love can sneak up on you when least expected. His latest, the wildly absurd, Celine Dion worship spectacle ‘Love Again’ sorta follows the same idea. Um, love definitely comes out of nowhere, that’s for sure. It’s a film so bizarre in so many ways that you almost want to like it for being so strange, and for giving us the undeniably stunning sight of Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan in a game of pick-up basketball.”

Despite those tepid, or even scathing reviews, audiences are loving the film. A few verified ticket buyers wrote:

“I laughed. I cried. It’s not going to win any academy awards but it was a fun rom-com movie to see. My gal-pal and I both enjoyed it and it’s a movie I might even consider seeing a second time with my husband.” – Bev

“Fun romantic escape. Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas played with our hearts from cynical, resignation, to hopeful, you just wanted to cheer them on. And Celine as love guru – using her lyrics says it all. Go see ‘Love Again’ to lift your spirits.” – V

“This was such a good movie. I really enjoyed it. It even made me cry. Definitely a movie for saps who love a good romance movie.” – Ashley

PREDICT   the 2023 Emmy nominations through July 12

Make your predictions  at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for  Apple/iPhone devices  or  Android (Google Play)  to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our  latest prediction champs . Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our  famous forums  where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

More News from GoldDerby

Stay informed with our weekly Newsletter

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Real-Life Heroes on YouTube for Tweens and Teens

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Common sense media reviewers.

Music soars in so-so romcom about how a heart will go on.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Lots of positive messages about love: what it take

Mira and her first love, John, have an aspirationa

Main character Mira (Indian actor Priyanka Chopra

Mira is mourning the death of her fiancé after see

Romantic plot. Kissing. One character propositions

Strong language includes "a--holes," "d--khead," "

Skittles are positively and prominently featured,

Alcohol is verbally and visually identified as a p

Parents need to know that Love Again is a romantic comedy about finding love after loss; it's based on the book Text for You by Sofie Cramer. Singer Céline Dion co-stars as herself, using her music and personal experiences to guide main characters Mira (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) and Rob (Sam Heughan) on…

Positive Messages

Lots of positive messages about love: what it takes to fall in love, love's enduring power, love being what gets us through life's messy and painful moments, the power of finding love after loss.

Positive Role Models

Mira and her first love, John, have an aspirational romance. Mira and Rob have idyllic creative professions: Mira is a successful children's author, and Rob is a newspaper music critic. It's Rob's curiosity, which turns into compassion, that sparks his romance with Mira -- although, through a different lens, his actions could be seen as verging on stalking. Céline Dion plays herself and shares stories from her life and marriage.

Diverse Representations

Main character Mira (Indian actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas) is Indian. Her late first love, John (Nigerian-born Arinzé Kene), is Black, as is Lisa (Irish Montserratian actor Lydia West), the co-worker/confidant of male lead Rob (White actor Sam Heughan). Rob's colleague and best friend is gay, which falls into romcom-stereotype territory -- although it does usually involve the leading lady's BFF, rather than the leading man's. Co-star Céline Dion is famously French Canadian. A White supporting character comes from an economically disadvantaged background. Mira's publisher is a woman who's depicted as kind and patient, but, if necessary, cut-throat.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Mira is mourning the death of her fiancé after seeing him getting fatally hit by a car (there's a close-up on her reaction as it happens). One push/punch given in startled self-defense.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Romantic plot. Kissing. One character propositions the person she's been dating; they kiss, and then the scene cuts to the next morning, when they're lying in bed together, sensitive body parts hidden by sheets. Bare male chests. Banter about "getting laid" or "getting that D."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Strong language includes "a--holes," "d--khead," "screwed," "s--t," "shut up," and "that sucks." "God" used as an exclamation. Sexual slang: "get laid," "smash," and "get that D!"

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Skittles are positively and prominently featured, indicating likely product placement. Attention to shoe brands, with Nike Air Jordans treated with some reverence. Dell logo half obscured but identifiable. Céline Dion's music is heavily featured.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Alcohol is verbally and visually identified as a path to interaction: Wine to talk to the dead (you have to see the movie to understand), margaritas on a first date, "champagne in a can" for a date in the park, and a bottle of bourbon in a breakup.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Love Again is a romantic comedy about finding love after loss; it's based on the book Text for You by Sofie Cramer. Singer Céline Dion co-stars as herself, using her music and personal experiences to guide main characters Mira ( Priyanka Chopra Jonas ) and Rob ( Sam Heughan) on their emotional journey. Romance is core to the story: There's kissing, and supporting characters make blunt references to pursuing casual sex ("we're going to smash," "I'm getting laid," and "get the D!"). But their crass attitude actually makes it more meaningful when Mira and Rob thoughtfully decide to become intimate. (After they do, the scene cuts to the morning after, with them lying under the covers, only backs and shoulders shown.) Mira sees her boyfriend get fatally hit by a car. Characters drink, and language includes "d--khead," "s--t," and more. While there are lots of positive messages about the power of love, some viewers may be put off by the way that Rob tracks Mira down using the information in her texts. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Two years after the death of her boyfriend, John (Arinzé Kene), children's book author Mira Ray ( Priyanka Chopra Jonas ) is still mired in grief, unable to move forward with her life. To work through her feelings, she starts texting them to John's old number, unaware that it's been reassigned to Rob ( Sam Heughan) , a music critic at the New York Chronicle . Céline Dion co-stars as a guardian angel-like version of herself, using her music and her own experiences of love and loss to guide Mira and Rob. (And, in a cute wink, Chopra Jonas' real-life husband, Nick Jonas , humorously pops in as a bad date.)

Is It Any Good?

It may inspire more hanky use than hilarity, but, as a heart grabber, this Céline Dion-powered musical romance dramedy works. Don't misunderstand: There's plenty to clog the pipes. Chopra Jonas is so electric with Kene and her real-life husband, Nick Jonas, that her mismatch with Heughan becomes impossible to ignore. And New York is treated like a character in the story ... which makes the fact that it clearly wasn't filmed in the Big Apple distracting (and then there's the fact that most of the cast is from the United Kingdom, and some are trying to disguise their accents).

But in a world in which movies like Mamma Mia! , Yesterday , and Blinded by the Light have already explored ways of making a movie inspired by a single artist or group's music, a romance that co-stars Dion as a sort of guardian angel makes its own sense. The film concept is strong, the dialogue is good, and the music is amazing. Viewers may well find themselves singing, laughing, and crying along to Dion's ballads -- and realizing anew that while great music helps us through challenges, the soundtrack of our lives is love.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Love Again 's use of Céline Dion and her music and how that compares to other movies you've seen in which a single artist or group's music is used to tell a story. Do you like that concept? Why, or why not?

Why is music so often powerfully tied to our emotions? How can song lyrics be interpreted differently depending on your situation and mood?

How does Rob's curiosity lead to his finding love? How did this character trait conflict with his integrity , and how do you think you would have handled the situation? Do you think Rob's behavior -- tracking down the person who's sending him texts -- could be considered stalking? How would you feel if you were Mira?

Did you spot anything that looked like product placement? When you see characters or actors using a product or wearing a brand, does it affect your buying choices?

A lot of love advice is given throughout the film. What stuck with you?

Movie Details

• In theaters : May 5, 2023
• On DVD or streaming : May 23, 2023
• Cast : Priyanka Chopra , Sam Heughan , Céline Dion
• Director : Jim Strouse
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Sony Pictures
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : Book Characters , Brothers and Sisters , Music and Sing-Along
• Character Strengths : Curiosity
• Run time : 104 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : some sexual material and some strong language
• Last updated : September 12, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

The Broken Hearts Gallery

Sleepless in Seattle

Return to Me

P.S. I Love You

Somewhere in Time

Romantic comedies, romance movies, related topics.

• Book Characters
• Brothers and Sisters
• Music and Sing-Along

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

'Love Again': Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything We Know so Far About the Romantic Comedy

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

10 Great Movies Recommended by Peyton Manning

The 7 best new movies coming to netflix in june 2024, luc besson’s movies, ranked by how absurd they are.

Remaking foreign language films has been a trend in Hollywood for almost a century, with the first remake dating back as early as the 1930s. While many such films end up getting lost in the translation, remaking foreign language films allows a wider audience to experience the bliss of already-loved stories. The success of movies like Scarlet Street , the 1945 noir tragedy by Fritz Lang , which is a remake of Jean Renoir ’s 1931 French movie La Chienne paved the way for directors and producers to continue this trend in cinema. Some of these remakes have gone on to win big at the Academy Awards , including last year's Best Picture winner CODA , which was a remake of the French film La Famille Bélier .

SMS für Dich , which translates to "SMS for You," is a 2016 German-language film that will receive an English-language remake and be released in 2023, adding to the list of remakes. The 2009 book of the same name by Sofie Cramer served as the inspiration for the movie. Previously known as Text For You , and then It's All Coming Back To Me , Celine Dion officially announced the film's new title, Love Again on November 2, 2022, on her Instagram. Here is everything we know so far about the upcoming remake which boasts a talented star cast.

Related: The Best Romantic Comedy of Each Decade Since the 1930s

What Is the Release Date of Love Again?

The Sony Pictures and Screen Gems movie did not just receive multiple titles but release dates too. The film was first scheduled for release on February 10th, 2023. The film's release was then moved forward 3 months from February to May 2023, as announced in November 2022. Love Again is now set to be released on May 12, 2023 .

Where Can You Watch Love Again?

Love Again will be distributed exclusively in the theaters in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing on May 12, 2023.

What Is the Plot of Love Again?

The official synopsis for Love Again by Screen Gems, the production company reads:

What if a random text message led to the love of your life? In this romantic comedy, dealing with the loss of her fiancé, Mira Ray sends a series of romantic texts to his old cell phone number...not realizing the number was reassigned to Rob Burns' new work phone. A journalist, Rob is captivated by the honesty in the beautifully confessional texts. When he's assigned to write a profile of megastar Celine Dion (playing herself in her first film role), he enlists her help in figuring out how to meet Mira in person...and win her heart.

The film's plot closely follows that of the original German language film, SMS für Dich . The female protagonist is now named Mira Ray, who loses her fiancé. Unable to let go and as a way to cope with the loss, she keeps sending texts to his phone number even two years after his death. However, it is unknown to her that the number is in use again. The person receiving the texts now is Rob Burns, a journalist captivated by the honesty in the beautifully confessional texts. The film poses a question of fate that brings the two individuals together under the most unexpected circumstances. As he is assigned to write the profile of the megastar Celine Dion, Rob asks Celine for assistance in finding out how to meet Mira in person and impress her, resulting in a beautiful rom-com.

Watch the Trailer for Love Again

The first official trailer for Love Again was released by Sony Pictures on their YouTube channel on February 14, 2023, just in time for Valentine's Day. The trailer plays out how many romcom trailers do, as Mira and Rob begin to fall in love.

What Is Love Again Based On?

Though Love Again is a remake of SMS für Dich , a 2016 German-language film, SMS für Dich is also an on-screen adaptation of Sofie Cramer's novel of the same name. SMS für Dich starred Karoline Herfurth and Friedrich Mücke in the first effort by actress Herfurth as writer and director of a full-feature film. Whether Love Again faithfully follows the original film or makes changes to suit the English-speaking audience is yet to be uncovered.

Who Is in Love Again?

The romantic comedy-drama boasts a talented star cast to match the charm of the original. Love again is led by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan along with Celine Dion, Russell Tovey ( Being Human ), Steve Oram ( The World's End ), Omid Djalili ( The Mummy ), Sofia Barclay ( Ted Lasso ), Lydia West ( It's a Sin ), Arinzé Kene ( I'm Your Woman ), and Celia Imrie ( The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ).

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is known for her portrayal of Alex Parrish in the ABC thriller series Quantico , Victoria Leeds in Baywatch , and recently as Sati in The Matrix Resurrections (2021). She will play the role of the protagonist Mira Ray, who is dealing with the loss of her fiancé but is led to a new suitor by fate. Though her character is a complex and emotional one, Chopra Jonas is known for her versatile acting talent.

In the same month of October 2020, Sam Heughan was cast opposite Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the role of a journalist named Rob Burns. He is the new user of Mira Ray's fiancé's phone number and is now receiving text messages intended for him by Mira. As time passes, he gets captivated by the beautiful and heartfelt texts and eventually develops an interest in Mira. Here enters the third important character in the series, Celine Dion. Heughan is best known for his starring role as Jamie Fraser in the Starz drama series Outlander.

Celine Dion is playing herself in Love Again, which also marks her first film role. Celine Dion helps Rob find and meet Mira Ray in person and guides him on his quest to win Mira's heart. In an episode of the Just for Variety podcast, Heughan also revealed that Dion has recorded a new song for the film. So, fans will not only get to see Celine Dion in the film but also get a new song from her.

The film's trailer also revealed that Chopra Jonas' husband, Nick Jonas will be making an appearance in the film as a man that Mira has an extremely awkward first date.

Related: Sam Heughan on Why He Hired an Intimacy Coordinator on 'Outlander'

Who Is Behind the Making of Love Again?

In April 2019, it was announced James C. Strouse ( The Incredible Jessica James ) would write and direct the film. The producing team Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee ( John Wick ), and Esther Hornstein ( Criminal ) serve as the producers of the film, produced under the banners of Screen Gems and Thunder Road Pictures. Principal photography for Love Again began in October 2020 and ended in early 2021. The filming first took place in London, after which production moved to the United States.

• Priyanka Chopra
• Sony Pictures Entertainment

Love Again Review

It’s bold to assume the audience of your Hollywood romcom is familiar with the opera  Orpheus And Eurydice  by Christoph Willibald Gluck. The Orpheus myth has inspired some of the greatest filmmakers of the past century, from Jean Cocteau to Céline Sciamma. To that lofty pantheon we must now add James C. Strouse, writer and director of  Love Again . Or rather Karoline Herfurth, whose 2016 film  SMS für Dich  (based on a novel by Sofie Cramer), inspired it. Perhaps German cinemagoers are all Gluck aficionados.

Love Again , believe it or not, mirrors the opera beautifully. After children’s book illustrator Mira Ray ( Priyanka Chopra Jonas ) loses her boyfriend in a car accident, she continues to text her dead lover’s phone as a channel for her grief. His mobile is recycled and used as the work phone of music critic Rob Burns ( Sam Heughan ), who falls in love with Mira through her melancholic poetry. Mira reveals her adoration for  Orpheus And Eurydice , currently playing in New York, and Rob attends every performance to stage an impromptu meet-cute.

They strike up a romance, only for Mira to find her texts on Rob’s phone. Like Orpheus turning to face Eurydice, which condemns her to Hades forever, Mira disappears from Rob’s life. But unlike the Orpheus myth, Gluck’s opera has the cupid-like Amore revive Eurydice after taking pity on Orpheus — and who better to embody Amore in this adaptation than Canadian diva Celine Dion, appearing as herself, to guide Rob through the nine circles of Hell? It’s a peculiar sort of genius.

To this bizarre concoction add a smattering of British stars, including Russell Tovey , Lydia West, and Celia Imrie , doing shaky American accents, and that’s  Love Again . It’s roughly made, suffocated by on-screen text messages and a heavy violin score by Keegan DeWitt out of tune with the Gluck arias and Dion ballads. But when a movie moves with such ease from ‘Che farò senza Eurydice?’ to ‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’, one can only respond with bemused respect.

Love Again: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about the romance movie

Ready to fall in love… again?

It's time for another big-screen romance, with the 2023 new movie Love Again .

Another addition to the romantic comedy genre (with some heartfelt drama mixed in there for good measure), Love Again comes from a 2022 novel and focuses on how love can happen in unexpected ways and lift us up, with a little help from Celine Dion.

Here is everything that you need to know about Love Again .

Love Again release date

Love Again wants to make audiences swoon starting May 5, when it premieres exclusively in movie theaters in the US, UK and many other countries. That means it will serve as an alternative option for anyone who may not be as interested in seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that weekend.

Find out how you can watch Love Again when it comes out.

Love Again plot

The movie is based on Sofie Cramer's 2022 novel Text for You . Here is the official synopsis:

"What if a random text message led to the love of your life? In this romantic comedy, dealing with the loss of her fiancé, Mira Ray sends a series of romantic texts to his old cell phone number… not realizing the number was reassigned to Rob Burns' new work phone. A journalist, Rob is captivated by the honesty in the beautifully confessional texts. When he's assigned to write a profile of megastar Celine Dion, he enlists her help in figuring out how to meet Mira in person… and win her heart."

Jim Strouse wrote the screenplay.

Love Again cast

Love Again 's central couple, Mira and Rob, are played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan. 

Chopra Jonas is a former Miss World (2000) who then made her acting debut in Bollywood. Her star began to rise in Hollywood with the TV show Quantico and appearances in movies like Baywatch , Isn't It Romantic , The White Tiger and, most recently, The Matrix Resurrections . Of course, she is also one half of a Hollywood power couple with her husband Nick Jonas, who has a small part in Love Again .

Heughan has already earned heartthrob status for many with his most notable role as Jamie Fraser in the hit TV series Outlander . Some of his other roles have been in the 2022 TV series Suspect and movies Bloodshot and A Prince for Christmas .

The other big name in the cast is Grammy-winner Celine Dion, a rare acting job for the legendary singer. Dion is of course no stranger to movies though, having provided songs for movies like Beauty and the Beast , Deadpool 2 and, famously, Titanic . Dion is also providing some new songs for the Love Again soundtrack.

Other members of the Love Again cast include Celia Imrie, Lydia West, Russell Tovey, Omid Djalili, Steve Oram and Sofia Barclay.

Love Again trailer

Fittingly enough, the first Love Again trailer was released on Valentine's Day. Watch the trailer directly below: 

Love Again director

In addition to writing the script, Jim Strouse is the director for Love Again . While perhaps not widely known, Strouse has a number of directing credits under his belt, including the movies Grace is Gone , The Winning Season , People Places Things and The Incredible Jessica James . 

Get the What to Watch Newsletter

The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca , Moulin Rouge! , Silence of the Lambs , Children of Men , One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars . On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd .

Peaky Blinders movie: cast and everything we know about crime drama's continuation

Netflix gives major update on Peaky Blinders movie

The Bold and the Beautiful recap for June 4, 2024: Ridge considers the future

Most Popular

• 2 Clipped episode 1 recap: Who is V. Stiviano?
• 3 Peaky Blinders movie: cast and everything we know about crime drama's continuation
• 4 Netflix gives major update on Peaky Blinders movie
• 5 Bad Boys: Ride or Die review — Will Smith, Martin Lawrence give it their all, but action franchise is running on empty

• TN Navbharat
• Times Drive
• ET Now Swadesh

entertainment news

Love Again Movie Review: Nick Jonas Is The Only Good Thing About Priyanka Chopra, Sam Heughan​ Film

Updated May 12, 2023, 18:51 IST

Love Again Movie Review

• Director - James C. Strouse
• Star cast - Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, Celine Dion
• Critic's Ratings - 2.5/5

Love Again Movie Review: Story

Love again movie review: performances, love again movie review: screenplay, dialogues and direction, love again movie review: verdict.

Navi Mumbai: Transgenders, Begging Outside Railway Station, Attacked With Iron Rods And Knives

Mumbai North Election Result 2024 Vs 2019: Mumbai North Winner, Vote Share; Check Party-wise Performance

Maval Election Result 2024 Vs 2019: Maval Winner, Vote Share; Check Party-wise Performance

Madha Election Result 2024 Vs 2019: Madha Winner, Vote Share; Check Party-wise Performance

Latur Election Result 2024 Vs 2019: Latur Winner, Vote Share; Check Party-wise Performance

Davangere Sugar Stock Hits Upper Circuit Amid Expansion News - Details

Kolhapur Election Result 2024 Vs 2019: Kolhapur Winner, Vote Share; Check Party-wise Performance

Kalyan Election Result 2024 Vs 2019: Kalyan Winner, Vote Share; Check Party-wise Performance

Lovely Runner OST Sudden Shower By Byun Woo-Seok And Eclipse Enters Billboard Global 200 Chart, Album Breaks Pre-Order Record

Basil Joseph Shows Off Dance Moves In New BTS From Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil

Suresh Gopi To Collaborate With Mammootty Kampany For A Film

Bigg Boss OTT 3: Dolly Chaiwala, Vada Pav Girl, Maxtern CONFIRMED As First 3 Contestants - Exclusive

NVR Cinema To Release Vijay Sethupathi’s 50th Movie Maharaja In Telugu States

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Link to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• Young Woman and the Sea Link to Young Woman and the Sea
• Jim Henson Idea Man Link to Jim Henson Idea Man

New TV Tonight

• Ren Faire: Season 1
• Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• Clipped: Season 1
• Queenie: Season 1
• Sweet Tooth: Season 3
• Mayor of Kingstown: Season 3
• Criminal Minds: Season 17
• Becoming Karl Lagerfeld: Season 1
• Power Book II: Ghost: Season 4
• Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• Eric: Season 1
• Evil: Season 4
• Dark Matter: Season 1
• Tires: Season 1
• Outer Range: Season 2
• Fallout: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Outer Range: Season 2 Link to Outer Range: Season 2
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

All Harry Potter (and Fantastic Beasts ) Movies Ranked

All George Miller Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Pride Month Programming Calendar 2024: TV and Streaming Shows and Movies Celebrating LGBTQ+ Voices

Movie Re-Release Calendar 2024: Your Guide to Movies Back In Theaters

• Trending on RT
• Vote: 1999 Movie Showdown
• 100 Best Movies on Netflix
• Star Wars: The Acolyte
• Superman: Everything We Know

Love Again Reviews

Love Again, believe it or not, mirrors the opera [Orpheus And Eurydice] beautifully.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 12, 2023

Love Again is a charming rom-com with meaningful dramatic moments and likable enjoyable characters worth rooting for another chance at true love.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Sep 10, 2023

Is the film successful in converting the stone-hearted into a believer? Not completely. But it does get sufficiently close.

Full Review | Sep 9, 2023

For what it is, a sort of wistful, sad Hallmark romance with pretty leads who have little chemistry, it’s not terrible. Random laughs are scattered throughout.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Sep 5, 2023

... To watch this movie is to experience molecular-level embarrassment for all involved parties.

Full Review | Sep 5, 2023

[An] often maudlin tale that’s an unconvincing combination of P.S. I Love You and Sleepless in Seattle.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 31, 2023

A sweet romance that throws up two surprises - first of all Celine Dion can act and second of all the film takes on a more serious tone than you would expect at times.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 22, 2023

Love Again is not even on the cusp of being a memorable romantic-comedy, especially because it apparently forgot that a prerequisite of the genre is to provide laughs.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 2, 2023

Has a certain amount of charm but the needed chemistry between Jonas and Heughen just isn't there.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Jun 1, 2023

Love Again starts out with an uncomfortable premise, and things get worse from there. Even those who ironically enjoy Hallmark TV romances might have difficulty with a movie that can’t seem to hit the right notes.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | May 23, 2023

Fluffy, cheesy and nary a sense of ingenuity, Love Again can be seen as a throwback to the plentiful rom-coms of yore. Or as a laughable pastiche with sugar levels so high, it will make your teeth rot. Let the power ballad of the Queen guide you.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | May 20, 2023

Even the lead pair’s chemistry is up for debate. Love Again’s rehashed plot can’t help falling prey to all the rom-com tropes by being sappy and entirely predictable with not enough comedy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | May 17, 2023

It’s got a Hallmark-level plot, and in other hands, perhaps the movie could be a little charming.

Full Review | May 17, 2023

If you want to see something familiar and comfortable and entertaining, "Love Again" is a decent option; just don't go to see it expecting something new or different. There would be no use. Full review in Spanish.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | May 16, 2023

It still overall charmed me and I thought everything with Celine Dion was cute. I love the idea of people falling in love over their words.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | May 16, 2023

Give me Priyanka Chopra Jonas clobbering away in a cheeseball action series over moping around in a silly, schmaltzy, romance that's long past its shelf life.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 16, 2023

It is of course Dion’s overwhelming voice and music that flood your heart, not this flimsy and occasionally morbid story.

Full Review | May 15, 2023

... A romantic comedy where everything you think it's gonna happen, happens. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 12, 2023

Sadly, I’m not sure her [Celine Dion's] five new ballads power over this rom-com’s sizable plot holes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | May 12, 2023

Love Again sounds like a title where novelty goes to die, and the resulting film certainly does nothing to deviate from such lowered expectations.

Full Review | May 12, 2023

‘Love Again’: Celine Dion Deserves Better Than This Lame Romcom

By Miles Klee

The first time Celine Dion shows up as herself in the mostly predictable romcom Love Again , she’s handing down icy answers to a room full of reporters asking inane questions about her upcoming concert tour. But our leading man, Rob ( Sam Heughan ), music critic for the fictional New York Chronicle , is distracted by some unusual messages he’s been receiving from a mystery texter. Dion chides him for having his phone on and inquires as to whether he’s going to ask her something. Rob fumbles, then pressures the singer to explain some of her esoteric lyrics about love.

“You obviously know nothing about it,” Dion replies. “What?” Rob says. “Love,” Dion answers, with perfect poise, to snickers from the rest of the press pool (and Rob’s acute embarrassment).

Rob’s mystery texter, you see, is an artist and children’s book author named Mira ( Priyanka Chopra Jonas ), who has yet to move on after losing the love of her life in a tragic accident. The film opens with their last, affectionate moments together in a café before her boyfriend steps out, and — in an unforgivable twist — is run down by a drunk driver before Mira’s very eyes. At least we only see her stunned reaction as opposed to the carnage itself, but the sequence is still a strong argument for subtlety in depicting trauma. It doesn’t help that her beau is a Black man, which means his abrupt and immediate death echoes an unpleasant trope from horror movies .

Editor’s picks

Every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term, the 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, the 50 worst decisions in movie history.

Perhaps these missteps would be less noticeable were it not for Dion herself, who easily surpasses the narrative while on screen — and utterly dominates it through the soundtrack, to which she contributes five new songs alongside revered classics like “All By Myself.” She has the few laugh lines, including a throwaway about Drake getting a tattoo of her face , as she becomes a life coach and emotional guru to Rob and Mira, schooling them on the entwined forces of love and loss as reflected in her own romance with husband René Angélil, who died in 2016 .

Brother Marquis, Pioneering 2 Live Crew Rapper, Dead at 58

Official tracklist for celine dion documentary offers glimpse into singer's recent struggles, joe jonas joins nick jonas at cannes film festival gala for surprise 'cake by the ocean' performance, meet the new cast of ‘love island usa' season 6, 'the acolyte': this 'star wars' prequel series isn't a force to be reckoned with, lady gaga references taylor swift, encourages fans to vote while shutting down pregnancy rumor, bad boy for life: sean combs’ history of violence, kamala harris responds to trump conviction on 'kimmel': 'the former president is a hypocrite'.

• Late-Night TV
• By Emily Zemler

Jax Taylor Can’t Help But Be the Worst — And That’s Why 'The Valley' Is So Good 

• So Good at Being Bad
• By Louis Staples

Cillian Murphy Will Star in 'Explosive' Film Continuation of 'Peaky Blinders'

• Tommy's Return
• By Tomás Mier

'Black Barbie' Trailer Explores How Three Black Women Revolutionized the Doll Brand

• More Than a Doll

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin Really Want You to See What It's Like Raising Seven Kids

• By Kory Grow

Most Popular

Jennifer lopez cancels summer tour, monet painting at the musée d’orsay vandalized by climate activist, insiders claim taylor swift is deeply ‘worried’ about this aspect of travis kelce’s new lifestyle, 'the rings of power' actor confirmed not returning for season 2, you might also like, dwayne johnson’s ‘the smashing machine’ to release in italy via i wonder pictures as distributor forges closer ties with a24, pride month celebrates its 25th anniversary: the 2024 fashion collections from companies that give back to support lgbtqia+ community, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, jane schoenbrun sets debut novel ‘public access afterworld’ at hogarth books, how to solve college sports’ gender discrimination problem.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

• Jagran Logo
• Web Stories
• Lok Sabha Elections
• UCC Explained
• Influencer Awards
• Election Result 2024 Live
• LS ELection Winner List
• Mera Power Vote
• T20 WC 2024
• LATEST NEWS
• ELECTION 2024
• ENTERTAINMENT
• UTTAR PRADESH
• MAHARASHTRA
• Entertainment

Love Again Review: Celine Dion’s High Notes Are The Only Highs In Priyanka Chopra-Starrer Rom-Com

Love Again Film Review and Rating: James C. Strouse’s loose romantic-comedy with Priyanka Chopra and Sam Heughan did not do justice with the capable lead pair.

• By Piyali Bhadra
• Published: Fri, 12 May 2023 04:29 PM (IST)
• Source: JND
• Google News

Love Again Movie Review: Priyanka Chopra and Sam Heughan's 'Love Again' is based on a German film called 'SMS.' James C. Strouse's directorial is slower since the beginning and is just another romantic comedy with a tragic starting, twisting climax, and a mainstream happy ending.

The film revolves around Mira Ray essayed by Priyanka Chopra trying to cope with the grief of her dead boyfriend where she starts sending texts to his old number which is read by music journalist Rob Burns essayed by Sam Heughan. With unexpected events, the duo meet each other and eventually falls in love with a mellow climax and an obvious happy ending to make the audience satisfied.

Priyanka Chopra's sad love story is filled with genuine emotions where one might find it hard for the lead to go through her dead boyfriend's things and texts with Celine Dion's high notes in the backend, the film's script goes slower than a snake.

The film starts with a quick note of the protagonist meeting such an unexpected fate but soon takes the turn of the obvious follow-ups to a date night which is showcased in every Hollywood romantic-comedy. However, one can appreciate its merits where from the start the presence of the two leads is equally captured on screen and the director has taken much effort to put the duo's chemistry on the screen where the equation between Priyanka Chopra and Sam Heughan looks raw, confusing at times, but to the point.

What Works For The Film:

The only thing in the film which can be appreciated is the accurate casting by the makers where the lead pair's chemistry according to the script is at fleek. The rehashed plot of the film is like falling prey to all the Hollywood rom-com as it is sappy and cringe at a point where the audience can make out the next move, but to witness the Indian roots on American grounds and sharing such active chemistry with the co-star may remind you of someone at the end of the film.

What Does Not:

Beyond the explorations of grief and trauma unveiled at the start of the film, the scenes of the film come and go with an exaggerated plot. Having cringe situationships of having the obvious meet cute spot and going on date nights with lame conversations, definitely is a dream in today's modern love world. Some scenes in the film should not be allowed to breathe with odd editing choices on the go.

Furthermore, in today's world, if one goes behind a mystery woman and chooses her to stalk, the individual will be called a creep with no imagination of date nights which is witnessed almost halfway through the film with unexpected coincidences finding their way in the film which have no requirement.

The presence of singer Celine Dione was not a requirement in the film where she tried to act as a sober yet hilarious love guru but fails to put out a strong word for all the hopeless romantics as where the cringe dialogue given to the star did not do justice to the 'Queen Of Pop.'

Performances:

The only saving grace in the film stands to be the performances of the cast where Priyanka Chopra's minimal presence on the screen with her less-impactful dialogues is perfectly carried by our desi star. The combination of Sam Heughan carrying emotions of love, rejection, confusion, and hope might ask you to stick to the seats. The surprising cameo of Nick Jonas may give you hilarious butterflies in the stomach when for the first time the husband-wife Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were seen on the big screen.

Final Thoughts:

The requirement of another romantic-comedy with no twist and range was not required in Hollywood as the pace in the West for rom-com's are at another level with having shots of some classics such as 'The Notebook' and more which turned the plot of the film to be a true cringe at a point.

Priyanka Chopra only remains a luminous onscreen presence in the film with her down-to-earth (Mira) attitude however there's a lack of spark in the romantic lines given to the duo where the leads chemistry could have bloomed through the screen with a good script presence involved with a realistic outlook.

Director: James C. Strouse

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Sam Heughan, Celine Dion

More In News

• Tejashwi Yadav Sparks Speculation With 'Wait And Watch' Remarks On TDP, JDU Joining INDIA Alliance India
• Madhavi Latha's 'Arrow' Misses Target As Owaisi's Winning Margin Exceeds Her Total Votes Telangana
• Uttarakhand: Five Dead After Team Of 22 Trekkers Goes Missing Due To Bad Weather In Uttarkashi; Rescue Ops On India
• Shambhavi Choudhary To Pushpendra Saroj, Gen Z Leaders Set To Become India’s Youngest MPs India
• T20 World Cup 2024: IND vs IRE Weather Report, New York Rain Forecast And Nassau County International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report Cricket

Love Again: Film Review

• Maxance Vincent
• May 4, 2023

The welcomed (but completely unnecessary) presence of Céline Dion cannot save Love Again from being amazingly trite.

Love Again is a big deal in Quebec, as it will mark the first film role of Céline Dion (as herself, of course. Who wouldn’t want to achieve this legendary status?). I’m curious to find out the box office numbers in the province this weekend. Still, Céline fans will not be disappointed at her appearances in the movie and at the multiple nods to Georges-Hébert Germain’s 1998 “ Céline: The Authorized Biography ”. Hell, our male protagonist, Rob (Sam Heughan) reads the book frequently to get to know more about the person he’s going to profile. 

Rob is a music critic who feels he’s not the right person for the job to profile Dion, as he recently suffered a bad breakup and can’t handle her love songs. His boss (Steve Oram) believes he’s the right person for the job. Rob receives a professional cellphone as a gift. Still, he starts to receive cryptic text messages from a number belonging to Mira Ray (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who believes she is texting the phone number of her deceased boyfriend, John (Arinzé Kene). He passed away two years before, and the audience sees this tonally jarring scene at the top of the film that sets the stage for how clichéd and exhaustingly boring the whole affair is going to be. 

Then Céline Dion comes into play, badly shoehorned into a movie that does not need her presence. As herself, Dion is fine, but her appearance doesn’t make sense. The film was based on a 2016 German film titled SMS für Dich (which I, unfortunately, did not get a chance to see as it was unavailable pretty much everywhere), which in turn was based on the novel of the same name by Sofie Cramer . I may be wrong, but my preliminary research shows that no pop singer is giving advice on love to our protagonists in those source materials. So what is Céline Dion doing here? 

Of course, some will argue that the underlying theme of the film is love , and that Dion is the epitome of love, as she sang songs like “ My Heart Will Go On”, “Because You Loved Me”, “The Power of Love”, and released albums like “ S’il suffisait d’aimer” (also a song), “Let’s Talk About Love”, “Falling Into You”, “These Are Special Times”, “Loved Me Back to Life”, “The Colour of My Love”— you get the idea. Dion also lost her husband (and manager) René Angélil, who passed away in 2016. She has always described him as “the love of my life,” and does so frequently in this film. In isolation, this all makes sense. And it would’ve made more sense if the film was about a fictionalized version of Dion inside a story that allows her to heal from that loss. 

What doesn’t make sense is how she’s integrated into the story about something completely different. Like, why is she here? Every time she’s on screen, it’s great because Dion has always had a legendary presence in Quebec media. Still, one can’t help but think she adds nothing to the film, especially with its main relationship that feels so Hallmark-lite in how unimaginative it is. Rob falls in love with Mira by reading her texts addressed to her dead boyfriend? That’s just… creepy. But it does have something in common with another 2023 romcom, Your Place or Mine , where the realization that one character is in love with the other is done when they’re apart (in this case, they don’t know each other). Much like Your Place or Mine , the two leads have virtually no chemistry when they go together. 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a charming actress and is quite funny in a scene where she’s paired with her real-life husband Nick Jonas (playing a total douche as a date), but can’t match with Heughan , who is as flat and unengaging as Ashton Kutcher was in Your Place or Mine . It doesn’t help that their relationship is filled with endless clichés, from the moment they accidentally “meet” to their first date to the (predictable) scene where she inevitably finds out about the texts. Their reconciliation is amazingly baffling, but one would’ve thought this is where the filmmakers would save the best Céline Dion scene for last, yet…it never comes. 

Love Again never coalesces into something interesting . The leads aren’t a “perfect match,” and Céline Dion’s fictionalized version of herself doesn’t feel as inspired by the material as Chopra Jonas, who tries so hard to make this movie work (her phone call with Céline is quite magical). However, it’s not enough for the movie to work. This is all stuff audiences have seen before and done even cheaply on the Hallmark channel, where they at least acknowledge their lack of originality. Wasting Céline like this feels criminal. She deserves better. We all deserve better than a film like Love Again . 

Love Again will be released in US theaters on May 5, 2023 .

• TAGS: genre: rom-com

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Review: Action Packed Delight

• Branyan Towe
• June 4, 2024

The Small Back Room Review: Feverish Restoration

• Connor Lightbody

Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice: Everything We Know

• Loud And Clear Reviews
• June 3, 2024

Doctor Who (2024) Season 1 Episode 6 Review

• Jack Walters
• Films , Must Watch

I Used to Be Funny review: Fantastic comedy drama

This closeness review: intriguing take on intimacy.

• Georgi Petkov

LATEST POSTS

• Cast & crew

Gladiator 2

Follows Lucius, the son of Maximus's love Lucilla, after Maximus's death. Follows Lucius, the son of Maximus's love Lucilla, after Maximus's death. Follows Lucius, the son of Maximus's love Lucilla, after Maximus's death.

• Ridley Scott
• David Scarpa
• Denzel Washington
• Pedro Pascal
• Connie Nielsen

• Emperor Caracalla

• Emperor Geta

• Young Lucius

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

New and Upcoming Action Movies & Series

More like this

Technical specs

• Dolby Atmos
• Dolby Digital
• 12-Track Digital Sound
• Dolby Surround 7.1
• IMAX 6-Track

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.