SXSW Review: “Love Language”

Love Language (Joey Power, 2026) 2½ out of 5 stars

The problem with many a romantic comedy is that the situation(s) bringing the protagonists together often feel forced, a mere contrivance of the script with little grounding in anything organic to the characters. If there’s chemistry between the leads, the narrative shenanigans matter a lot less; we’re just along for the fun ride, hopefully with witty banter, and ultimately a happy ending. But if we don’t believe that A + B could ever form a happy union, then we’re in a bit of cinematic trouble.

Such is the issue facing Love Language, the debut solo feature from writer/director Joey Power (After Everything). He has an able cast and some occasionally very engaging scenes. But despite how charming the actors may be who play different sides of a thorny love rectangle, we never buy that who ends up together should. Manny Jacinto (Freakier Friday), Isabel May (I Want You Back), Chloë Grace Moretz (Greta), and Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) all have charisma and talent to spare, but not always together.

The best aspect of the movie lies in its effortless diversity. In a world where right-wing posturing leads white nationalists to see anyone other than themselves as a threat, Love Language presents a world where differences in race, gender, and sexuality are manifestly visible. Better yet, they are taken for granted in the best possible way. People are who they are, and no one cares. Unless you behave like a jerk, and then, well, you’re that.

Moretz plays Lou (short for Louisa), a wannabe YA author who decides to moonlight as a writer of wedding vows for those who lack inspiration or ability. She’s encouraged in this lucrative sideline by Dash (Ramos), the cousin of her bestie, Tilda (Billie Lourd, The Last Showgirl), for whom she did the same (but for free). Dash has the hots for Lou, though she doesn’t take him seriously as an option. She’s also miserable from the breakup that opens the film. The last thing she wants right now is a relationship.

Lou is not unhappy, however, with the money coming in from the new gig, as word of mouth gets her more clients. But then a rich young businesswoman, Olivia (May) hires her, and it turns out the groom-to-be is Lou’s college crush, Warren (Jacinto). When the two former classmates meet up again, it seems like sparks fly, at least for Lou.

Love Language’s plot follows the will-they-or-won’t-they trajectory of Lou and Warren’s possible relationship, all the while also developing something between Dash and Lou. There’s also a supporting story line involving another of Lou’s circle, Gus (Lukas Gage (Smile 2) and his own romance, because what is a rom-com without a gay friend (as per the above, however, the matter-of-factness of what transpires is lovely).

Beyond the sad reality that, in our present, most folks with writer’s block desperate for vows would probably turn to AI, the real hole at the center of Love Language is that the ending simply doesn’t work. Neither principal couple is believable. And without faith in the viability of the onscreen love, every other flaw stands out in sharp relief, no matter how good a time we have coming to that conclusion.