Some experiences are familiar to every human being. As seen in Emily Grooms and Donato De Luca’s short film, Grand Romantic Gestures, that experience is getting dumped.
Joe (Donato De Luca) is in love with his soon-to-be girlfriend, Katie (KarieAnn Randol). It’s as if he’s willed their relationship into being. One year later, Joe decides that it’s time to take their relationship to the next chapter and propose.
While at their anniversary dinner, Joe steps away for something special while Katie tries to figure out how to break the bad news. When Joe returns, he must accept that it’s over, and nothing will bring them back together again—even if he’s the last man on earth.
“…Joe decides that it’s time to take their relationship to the next chapter and propose.”
I’m not going to say how, but I’ve been in a similar situation as our poor protagonist, Joe, and filmmakers Grooms and De Luca capture this uncomfortable, embarrassing, and heartbreaking moment all too well. On the other hand, Randol’s performance as Katie is given a great deal of empathy. The heart wants what the heart wants, and if there are no feelings there, you can’t force them, no matter how much Joe pleads and begs.
And then there’s the ending. No spoilers, but it comes out of the blue and instantly ramps up the stakes of this relationship in a humorous and equally ominous way. I love films that think outside the box.
Grand Romantic Gestures beautifully captures the heartache of love and loss with humor and empathy. Emily Grooms and Donato De Luca deliver a relatable story with an unexpected twist, making it a memorable take on the unpredictability of relationships.
"…in a humorous and equally ominous way..."
