Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to punch my TV screen and scream at rom-com characters for making the dumbest decision ever? Let me answer that for you: every single time I watch one. And every time, I’m thinking, “Isn’t it obvious?” Well, it’s not, and I came to find that out by clicking through Netflix’s interactive rom-com “Choose Love.” Unlike those characters, however, I got to make questionable decisions with the excuse of “doing it for the plot.”
We follow Cami Conway (Laura Marano), an aspiring musician who likes to break the fourth wall too much for her own mental well-being. She works as a recording engineer, producing music that she doesn’t want to be making, like jingles for those medicine commercials that help you with your back pain, but may cause cancer, strokes or even death. She’s currently with her boyfriend of three years, Paul (Scott Micheal Foster), but feels like something is missing in her life.
Attending a tarot card reading, Cami hopes to gain a sense of clarity in her life of perpetual meaninglessness but is instead met with a heap load of foreshadowing. Her life is about to get confusing with the introduction of three potential suitors and the possibility of a childhood dream coming true, if she chooses wisely. And when I say she, I mean me. Her future lies in my hands- no pressure, right?
Thankfully there’s an undo button, allowing me to have some fun experimenting with her life’s many different pathways guilt-free. The first time I watched it, conversely, I took the role of the chooser seriously. I took into account any given detail and interaction when deciding what Cami’s life would come, and who would be in it. I was like a professional matchmaker, even though I had no clue what I was doing. I could help her rekindle lost love, forge her career in the music industry or stabilize the foundation leading to a future family life, alongside three different men. Speaking of these potential lovers, it’s time you get officially introduced to them.
First up we have Paul. He is a kind, well-off man who is committed to and wants to create a future with Cami, but does he play electric guitar? I don’t think so. There’s little flair to his character and he seems completely average in every way. However, when I reluctantly chose a Paul-focused plot point during a rewatch, I realized he’s not an invaluable candidate, despite all my criticism. His willingness to fight for Cami through it all while also respecting her feelings and boundaries made me feel as though I was too hard on him. Jack, on the other hand, I have no regrets.
Jack Menna (Jordi Webber): the world-changing activist who, when he’s not working on his tan, is helping children fight against the cons of corrupt businessmen or saving the turtles in ways bigger than just buying paper straws. He was “the one that got away” and in my opinion the one that should have stayed away. He’s goofy, creative and clearly a good man but it doesn’t change my standing in his place in Cami’s life. Sparks flew in high school but by clinging onto their past, Jack is holding Cami back from her future. So however amazing he may be, he’s got to go.
Last but first in my heart, is Rex Gailer (Avan Jogia). He is as free-spirited as it gets and arguably the most alluring one, and yes, he does play electric guitar. Every one of his interactions and commentary has some sort of snaz to it, an unpretentious confidence constantly radiating out of every strand of his bleached-tipped hair. He gives off this kidlike aura, one who always seems to know when he’s been caught doing something naughty but can charm his way out of anything. Sounds slightly annoying, and it is at times, as even he has his fair share of flaws that challenge a potential romantic relationship with Cami, but with any scene he partakes in he provides some necessary pizazz.
As a whole, the movie wasn’t anything extraordinary. The productional value of the movie was simple and interactions between characters were what you’d expect from a Netflix rom-com: slightly cringy at times but somewhat cute and bearable overall. My main indulgence in the movie came from the power of having a choice.
You got to be the driving factor behind everything that did or could’ve been. Every kiss, conversation, and externalization of emotion could have never happened if you chose otherwise. As I got more invested, I began to realize how hard it was to choose her story- and, unlike Cami, I had a headspace free of emotional attachment to these suitors. I would not dwindle over the pain I inflicted upon these lovestruck individuals because what Cami did to them didn’t affect me directly, so it was harder for me to feel the repercussions of my actions.
In real life, however, there is no redo button, and your actions have applicable consequences that don’t go away when the movie ends. Although daunting, this movie emphasizes that while you should consider both sides of a decision, be brave. Take your chances and see where it takes you.
If you haven’t done so already, give “Choose Love” a try. It was definitely an enjoyable taste test of what could become of this style of movie. And hey, if you don’t like the ending, choose it differently.
