True Romance
Main Cast: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody
Creator: Erin Foster
You may have noticed that Adam Brody is popping up all over the place. Whether it’s people reminiscing about his days on The OC, being creeped out by his villain in Jennifer’s Body, or looking into his other work like Kid Detective or the series StartUp (watch free on Tubi), the man is EVERYWHERE. And for good reason. He co-stars with Kristen Bell in the hottest rom-com series of the year: Nobody Wants This.
Nobody Wants This is a 10-episode Netflix series about the burgeoning romance between Brody’s Rabbi Noah Roklov and Bell’s outspoken sex podcaster Joanne. They live wildly different lives, but there is no denying the spark when they meet.
And that’s all there is to it, on paper. It’s two adult humans, trying to begin a relationship of which their respective worlds disapprove. Noah’s mother, sister-in-law, and ex-girlfriend are vehemently against him dating any woman who isn’t Jewish. Joanne’s family questions her ability to fit into a lifestyle so different from her own. Honestly, they’re all kind of jerks.
So why is it so popular?
It comes down to two things: well written characters and chemistry.
Joanne and Noah are both written as fully grown, complicated people. They have lives and goals and dreams that pre-exist their relationship by years. Joanne is exactly who people are talking about when they say a woman is too much. She talks about her feelings out loud, does not hate her body, and knows what she will and will not accept in a romantic partner. In other words, she’s an adult with her own opinions who isn’t willing to shut up while the boys talk.
Noah just came out of a long-term relationship that was what everyone expected from him. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what he wanted for himself. He faced the disapproval of his family and congregation rather than marry a woman he did not love. He is also a grown-up with full autonomy over his feelings and the ability to express them.
Both Joanne and Noah have doubts and insecurities. And they say them out loud. To each other. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to watch a romantic comedy that isn’t filled with misunderstandings that would be easily solved by the parties involved simply opening their mouths and speaking.
There is only one subplot that fits that irritating trope, and it’s between Joanne and a family member. Supporting characters can have all the misunderstandings they want.
Speaking of supporting characters, Nobody Wants This is brimming with talented actors taking on less-than-charming roles as these hopeful lovers’ friends and family. Special shout-outs to Justine Lupe as Joanne’s sister and business partner and Timothy Simons as Noah’s brother. They do a lot to set up the framework into which this relationship must somehow fit. And D’Arcy Carden, who you may remember as Janet on The Good Place, is a welcome addition as Joanne’s friend.
And now we get to chemistry. The heat between Joanne and Noah is out of this world. The series is not graphic in any way; just a kiss is enough to set off fireworks. These two actors fully committed to these roles, letting down their guard and being unsure, overwhelmed, and massively smitten.
The supporting characters also gel. Not romantically, but as friends and siblings and parents with their own complicated relationships with our main characters. The one exception is Tovah Feldshuh as Noah’s mother, who isn’t written as well as the rest of the cast. The character feels like an unfortunate stereotype. Her interactions with Joanne are some of the most delicious in the series, but the role is pretty thankless.
I loved every episode of Nobody Wants This. It’s a rare romantic comedy for grown-ups starring grown-ups. Noah and Joanne have baggage, but they also have the life experience to turn this slow-burn romance into a meaningful dialogue on modern relationships.
Adam Brody might be today’s World’s Best Boyfriend, but Kristen Bell is also a hero for every woman who has felt that she has to hide part of herself to make a relationship work (and that’s all of us). Congratulations to the showrunners for bringing us this combination in such a light, yet poignant, way.
Nobody Wants This is about five hours total, with plenty of time for a full story arc. I’ve seen complaints about the ending, but it works for me, especially since there may be a second season. Creator Erin Foster wants to continue the series, it’s gotten a great critical reception, and has had a solid seat in Netflix’s top ten since it debuted. Ball’s in your court, Netflix.
Sue reads a lot, writes a lot, edits a lot, and loves a good craft. She was deemed “too picky” to proofread her children’s school papers and wears this as a badge of honor. She is also proud of her aggressively average knitting skills She is the Editorial Director at Silver Beacon Marketing and an aspiring Crazy Cat Lady.
Leave a Reply