Most individuals who had been bullied in highschool fantasize about turning into stunningly profitable and shaming their tormentors by dwelling their greatest lives. However within the new Freeform rom-com The Thing About Harry, main man Sam (Jake Borelli) finally ends up reconnecting together with his bully Harry (newcomer Niko Terho) in faculty and discovering that Harry teased him mercilessly once they had been youngsters out of envy and worry. After attending to know one another on a street journey again residence, the 2 turn out to be pals and ultimately fall in love on a twisty path stuffed with will-they-or-won’t-they stress and pratfalls.
“The reality is, I admired you,” Harry confesses within the romantic made-for-TV film that premieres Saturday Feb. 15, on Valentine’s Day weekend. “You had been out in Liberty, Missouri. Me? I used to be simply too scared. That is why I made enjoyable of you. that, proper?”
Simply so we’re clear, not solely is Harry ridiculously horny and pansexual however he is in a position to specific himself in ways in which assist put previous pains in perspective? Uh huh. There’s suspension of disbelief after which there’s this film. Wild fantasies apart, author and director Peter Paige (who additionally has a small function as Sam’s clever roommate, Casey) clearly had a blast digging into all of the tropes from our favourite heteronormative romantic comedies and molding them in order that they match this unlikely however charming homosexual love story. The title “Harry” is even within the title. And generally these chestnuts work and generally they do not.
What in the end works greatest in The Factor About Harry, even when the story feels undercooked, is the chemistry between the actors. As an example, when Sam and Harry flirtatiously smile at one another just a bit too lengthy or share inside jokes, it is simple that these two have a deep connection that’s thrilling to look at. That stated, Sam additionally has candy and plausible exchanges together with his greatest pal Stasia (Britt Baron), who lovingly calls him “Sam-wich,” and his roommate Casey, the latter of whom provides off sturdy male Bonnie Hunt vibes.
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Paige additionally weaved in a couple of different peppy popular culture touches like an up to date cowl of Judy Garland’s “I am Simply Mad About Harry” and artwork historical past trivia about French painter John Singer Sargent. There’s even a fast cameo from Queer Eye star Karamo Brown. He performs Sam’s older and extra established boyfriend, a relationship distinction that’s simply as temporary as Brown’s look. Sadly, this can be a recurring subject in The Factor About Harry; three completely different characters have black love pursuits, none of whom get very many traces or display screen time. In that means, the flick is type of like The Bachelor.
The Factor About Harry additionally fails the Bechdel take a look at as the one outstanding girl in Sam’s life is Stasia and he or she apparently would not know or speak to some other ladies. To be truthful, these similar gender and racial deficiencies could be discovered all through plenty of rom-coms. However in a film that seemingly tries to be extra consultant and inclusive, such shortcomings may’ve been averted.
Fortunately, The Factor About Harry will get extra proper than it will get flawed and can give romantics the proper weekend fodder they should snigger, cry, and root for Sam and Harry on the street to like. And in case your bully from highschool all of the sudden sends you a pal request, she or he might be watching the identical film too.
The Factor About Harry premieres Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8/7c on Freeform.