"Rye Lane" a hyperactive "Before Sunrise" that's zippy, charming, and stylish

Rye Lane (2023)

Who said they don’t make romantic comedies like they used to? “Rye Lane” is, yes, both romantic and funny, but it's a breath of fresh air, being between two opposite twenty-somethings in South London. Director Raine Allen-Miller makes her feature directorial debut with a snappy script by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, and not only does she announce a zippy, stylish vision for herself but vibrant talents in Vivian Oparah and David Johnson as the co-leads. 

Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Johnson) have an unconventional meet-cute. She hits the unisex bathroom at an art gallery opening, only to hear him sobbing in one of the stalls. Dom has just been dumped by his girlfriend of six years (Karene Peter) for Dom’s doltish best mate (Benjamin Sarpong-Broni). Newly single herself, Yas shows concern, but Dom wants to have a private moment. In the gallery, Yas quickly recognizes Dom’s pink high-tops, and off they go, walking and talking about their romantic woes through the Rye Lane Market. When Dom splits to go clear the air with his ex at their old spot, Yas surprises him and comes to Dom’s rescue. They may be strangers, but a lot can happen in a day. 

“Rye Lane” plays like a hyperactive “Before Sunrise,” where the characters get to actually talk, have dreams, and develop an organic connection. “Apparently, there are two kinds of people in this world. The ones that wave at boats and the ones who hate joy,” reasons the free-spirited Yas. She is the one with the stronger personality of the two, saying exactly how she feels. Dom is a little too nice in his break-up situation, but he has a good heart and we want to bid him well. An enormously charismatic Vivian Oparah and a sensitive David Johnson make their characters feel like oil and water, but opposites do attract, as they say, and these two bring out the best in each other. Their little adventure unfolds in just a day, and a lot happens without any of it feeling contrived. A pitstop at a guacamole joint called “Love Guac’tually” has a hilarious cameo, and a karaoke duet of Salt-N-Peppa’s “Shoop” is irresistible. Even when Yas wants to retrieve an album from her own ex-boyfriend’s place but first needs a key, both she and Dom get invited into a backyard barbecue with the ex’s family; it’s awkward but still doesn’t go where we expect. 

It’s been a while since a romantic comedy has visually looked this sharp and vivid with colors that pop. Raine Allen-Miller’s direction is distinct and dynamic, shooting with a fisheye lens that never becomes distracting but just becomes part of the film’s style. In the middle of Yas and Dom’s conversation, Allen-Miller will cut to exaggerated recreations of the characters’ memories. There are a lot of colorful, whimsical flourishes that give the film a zip and a verve, not unlike a genre movie by Edgar Wright. With charming and funny people like Yas and Dom, “Rye Lane” is a sweet little gem that deserves major attention.

Grade: B +

Searchlight Pictures is releasing “Rye Lane” (82 min.) on Hulu on March 31, 2023.