This weekend, with a pile of responsibilities, I decided that instead of locking in, I’d use this chilly Saturday to watch Oh, Hi!, which stars Logan Lerman and Molly Gordon are in.
It’s a great watch, and it’s out on Netflix. The story follows a couple, Iris and Isaac, who are on a cute trip to relax in Ohigh Falls. From there, it takes you through their stay and how things quickly turn into a more intense situation. This is a great recommendation for hopeless romantics and those who enjoy realism mixed with humor.
Although I was a bit hesitant to watch this movie because I know Logan from his work in the Percy Jackson movies, I decided to give it a chance. He has impressed me in other works, such as Indignation and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, as well. His acting in this will be a pleasant surprise to viewers, as we see him morph into the soft-boy that is Isaac. There are many scenes for us as the audience to swoon over, and maybe even hit the replay button. One of my favorite scenes is at the beginning, when they explore the place where they’re going to stay. It’s just nice to get to know their dynamic, and this really allows for the expansion and visibility of their chemistry.
Molly is also such an expressive actress, which really helps bring to life Iris’s emotions. It makes the viewer sympathize, especially since Isaac has not been straightforward for four months. So, her going into fix-it mode and trying to make it work with theatrics and not-so-healthy methods can make you relate to or feel for her. At the same time, it humanizes her because it’s a tough thing to go through. Obviously, I don’t condone extreme actions or anything that causes discomfort to anyone. But watching her work through it, realizing what she needs to work on while also being true to her need for a committed relationship, is powerful. The closing of that chapter, and just the shot of her being content toward the end, is really poignant.
Max, who is Iris’s best friend, and Kenny, Max’s partner, are introduced a little later into the chaos. But they’re the exact type of people you’d want to call in an emergency. For example, Iris’s, whose emergency was accidentally (and so not accidentally) keeping Isaac from leaving. Max is constantly supportive of Iris, even when she’s deep into her spiraling. Having female friendships shown in such a positive light, and that depth of womanhood, really stands out.
Max and Kenny also serve as the emotional foil to the rocky situationship between Iris and Isaac. They’re understanding and consistently there for each other. It’s done both subtly and overtly, like Kenny driving them and then staying when he finds out the real reason they’re there. Max is able to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Iris. Able to tell her that at the end of the day, both parties need to be on the same page to maintain that kind of love.
There are also funny scenes, like the scare jumps by Steve, a local townsperson, and the hilarity of Max and Iris working on a spell to erase Isaac’s memories of the last two days. This adds just enough lightness to ease the tension and keep it more rom-com than horror. So, there’s a balance that helps the viewer laugh as well. It’s hard to sit through a completely serious movie if that’s not your thing. With this one, you get humor and a beautiful, non-cliché ending.
There were also heavier issues discussed, but in a way that lifted the weight off them. Iris, from sheer will, tries to enter the commitment stage, but that need spirals into faulty decision-making. Meanwhile, Isaac doesn’t want to commit because he knows how hard it is to maintain love without it falling apart. Also, fear of someone getting hurt in the end. This is a path less traveled in romantic comedies, at least from the ones I’ve seen. Having that vulnerability in the middle of the chaos, humor, and frustration was a nice touch. Ultimately, we see them in a more humane light. There’s room for growth for both of them, but they’ll always have Ohigh.
Lastly, the cinematography was just so good. It’s set in a small town with a lake, hydrated grass, rain, and sunlight all captured in their natural state with subtle emphasis. It ties everything together across scenes. The calmness of the setting is drastically different from Iris’s self-realization journey, which was real and messy yet interesting to watch. There’s even a scene of them swimming in a lake, which was beautiful, and just a couple of moments before chaos ensued. Overall, it’s another element that makes this movie worth watching.