“…mesh of acting chops works exponentially well, with each character adding their own flavor
Riverdale’s Camila Mendes also makes a gratifying (but minor) appearance as Morgan, a self-assured, beautiful classmate who convinces Blake to get started with the neighborhood call girl system. Joining Mendes is her fellow Riverdale cast member Hayley Law, who plays Nikki, Blake’s encouraging roommate. Another CW alum is Jane The Virgin actor Brett Dier. Dier fills the spot of well-intentioned Jacob, fellow student and aspiring journalist who Blake competes with and (naturally) falls for.
Rounding off the core cast of network television stars is Avan Jogia, who also had a reoccurring role in the CW’s Aliens in America. With the exception of Barden and Sharp — and let’s be damn truthful, both are thespian goldmines — The New Romantic’s cast is a CW-studded roster. Oddly enough, the mesh of acting chops works exponentially well, with each character adding their own flavor to this melting pot of ill-advised college adventures.
Director Carly Stone’s The New Romantic has nothing on Ephron’s Sleepless in Seattle, but that’s okay because it’s not trying to compete. Rich with talent, this flick is missing that fundamental thing that sets one rom-com apart from the rest; a lasting feeling that what you’re watching matters, or means something.
The New Romantic (2018) Written by Carly Stone. Directed by Carly Stone. Starring Jessica Barden, Timm Sharp, Avan Jogia, Camila Mendes, Hayley Lew, Brett Dier.
6 out of 10 stars
