Have you ever felt unlucky in love, so much so that there might actually be something wrong with you? Writer/director Sasha Collington’s brilliant new comedy presents the idea that a gene may be responsible for all your romantic troubles. Love Type D follows Frankie (Maeve Dermody), dumped for the 11th time—this time, it was the man (Thomas, played by Oliver Farnworth) she assumed was the love of her life. His younger brother, Wilbur (Rory Stroud), who was sent to break up with her in person because Thomas was too lazy to do it himself, becomes the center of Frankie’s world. An ad catches her attention: a new scientific discovery might explain all Frankie’s bad luck. Allegedly in her future? A life committed to celibacy and hobby therapy. This smart comedy sends up rom-com tropes, while carving out a specific (and hilarious) flavor all its own.
Love Type D is a series of Frankie’s misadventures, with each one teaching her more about herself. A fortune teller tells Frankie she has a gray aura, reinforcing that something is physically wrong with her. A hilarious potential scheme fantasy sequence sees Frankie and Wilbur in silly disguises, one of which involving hypnosis. Frankie’s character growth throughout the film is beautiful, as she realizes her self-worth amidst an odd social experiment. She deduces that she needs to re-dump 1.4 men per day, and pheromones become a key plan to win back her ex. Frankie’s adorable platonic friendship with Wilbur is the film’s lifeblood. The dynamic between the wise young child and desperate lovesick Frankie is funny and adorable. Their bond being so meaningful definitely caught me off guard. It is very easy for younger kids to come across as annoying in films, but Rory Stroud is utterly charming at all times.
The romance takes a backseat to the comedy. I didn’t care who Frankie ended up with; I just wanted her to be happy in the end. Through it all, Wilbur remains her rock. It’s a well-done script flip, where the child brings wisdom for the adult. The concept is so strong that I never wanted Love Type D to end. Female empowerment (and movies like this, from strong female voices) will never grow old. Now get on the ground and crawl like a rat!
Love Type D screened at the Seattle International Film Festival, April 8th – April 18th, 2021.
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