WE BROKE UP (2021) 

Delivery is everything and this cast knows how to deliver the goods. The comedy is executed so subtly that the sudden release of small jokes to break the tension in the air make for a sharp chuckle. Focusing on our prime central characters exclusively allows us to focus on their body language and conversation. Aya Cash (Lori) is a queen at showing her visible discomfort, even when pretending that everything is alright - her performance isn’t unlike what we’ve seen from her time as Gretchen on You’re the Worst. While their motivations incredibly differ and one is clearly a sociopath, it’s a type of unloving, misunderstood character that Cash plays so well. William Jackson Harper (The Good Place, Midsommar) as Doug brings along a hypnotic contrast between himself and the less cheerful Lori. As mentioned earlier, I’d compare the experience to a lighter version of The Break Up. With some tremendous monologues and arguments spread throughout the film, you can’t help but feel tense every time the two stand even near one another. While I'm floored by the connection between Cash and Harper, the supporting characters, while still good in varying degrees, certainly are a letdown. Lori’s sister,l Bea and her fiance Jayson are a much sillier element of the film that works in doses, leaving some instances where the over the top delivery from Tony Cavalero and Sarah Bolger can come across as too much. Then we come to Erica and Roya, potential new love interests for our ex-couple, but they’re dropped into the story and removed so rapidly that their inclusion and lack of further appearances in the film make them almost shoehorned into the story to trigger jealousy and nothing else; a missed opportunity to detour into more emotions.