The following is a spoiler-free review of Netflix's Falling Inn Love.
Falling Inn Love put me to sleep — and I mean that as the highest compliment.
I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the world is a mess right now. So much so, that a really, really important part of it is likely still on fire as you're reading this. The global economy is hanging in the balance, political tensions are unspeakably high, the safety of millions continues to be threatened by climate change, and oh yeah, we don't know how to fix any of it.
Sigh. Of course, the nightmarish state of affairs in 2019 isn't news, and turning to entertainment for comfort isn't a novel coping mechanism. But something about Netflix's delightful tale of romance and home renovation feels particularly healing this summer weekend, and I enthusiastically recommend it as a film — and as an all-purpose salve.
The rom-com follows Gabriela Diaz (Christian Milian), an eco-conscious designer with dreams of creating self-sustaining buildings in her hometown of San Francisco. When Gabriela's job and relationship fall apart in the span of a week, she (drunkenly) decides to enter an online essay contest, one that will gift the winner a picturesque bed-and-breakfast in rural New Zealand to own and run as they see fit.
As you might have guessed, Gabriela's name gets pulled and soon she's on a plane to check out the property she's just won. When she arrives, she is met by local contractor and all-around dreamboat Jake Taylor (Adam Demos) — and the remains of what was once the inn of her dreams.
Run down by years of neglect, the Bellbird Valley Farm needs a lot of work. The plumbing and electricity are shot to hell, the paint is peeling so quickly you can practically see it happening on screen, and there's a goat that comes and goes (and presumably, pees) as he pleases. His name is Gilbert, and yes, he is a very good boy.
Gabriela doesn't know what she's going to do about any of it, but Jake is more than willing to help her as a business partner — or maybe more. Right around then is when I fell asleep.
Don't get me wrong, I was really enjoying Falling Inn Love, and I continued to enjoy it the next morning when I woke up. But in that moment, the predictable pacing of what felt like a familiar love story sent me off to a warm and safe snooze. There's just something about watching two good people try to do a really good thing that is... well, good.
The emotional backstories of Jake, Gabriela, and the inn — not to mention the undeniable chemistry between Milian and Demos — give the story heart. Meanwhile, the endless introduction of local New Zealand slang, cutesy fix-it-up sequences, and Top 40 feel-good tunes offer ample opportunity for thoughtless smiles.
Supporting performances by Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Anna Jullienne, and Claire Chitham are similarly enjoyable, even if you don't recognize those actors right off the bat. (FYI, I'm fairly certain this a debut for Annabel and Mia, the two-part goat team behind Gilbert.)
All inn all (yep), Falling Inn Love has a decent shot at making you feel fantastic this weekend. Or, at the very least, giving you the chance at a well-deserved nap.
Falling Inn Love is now streaming on Netflix.
