Long-term partners Peter and Luke come face to face with their own commitment issues when they attend their mutual friends’ gay wedding in Haley Rice’s This is Love!?
“This Is Love!?” a 10-minute duologue written by and starring Tom Hausher, offers a refreshing take on the classic romantic comedy. Director Haley Rice skilfully balances humour and heart, navigating the complexities of a modern LGBTQ+ relationship with a light yet engaging touch. The film’s punchy script and tight direction allow it to playfully engage with rom-com tropes while carving out its own unique voice. Strong performances from the leads create an enjoyable and often tender experience.
Peter and Luke played by J.D Brookshire and Tom Hausher are a couple who have been together for many years, they know each other inside out and all their strengths and foibles. As the film opens, we are given a fun look into their lives as Peter struggles to find things, so he keeps waking Luke up asking for instructions. It’s the age-old odd couple formula and as Luke gets more exasperated, we get our first few laughs and it’s the first moment in the script that suggests no matter who any couple are, we can all relate to each other in every way. The tables turn like this throughout the 10-minute runtime sometimes Peter will be the responsible one and other times it will be Luke; it’s a nice juxtaposition that keeps the short interesting and the viewers on their toes.
What becomes apparent during the course of the short is that Luke is becoming a bit restless in the relationship and has possibly had his head turned by other men. We see him receiving and sending texts to would-be suitors however a moment of real clarity between the two lovers changes how each other thinks about their situation.
The imagery stands out for its clever and engaging cinematography. Kevin Losani, the film’s cinematographer, effectively captures the vibrant energy of the relationship with the use of warm, inviting lighting that creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the two characters that draws us into their world. We then get a darker and more sombre tone of greys and blues as the mood changes towards the finale.
Considering the script’s stage-like setting and the use of one single location the camera work is dynamic and fluid, mirroring the ups and downs of the relationship at the heart of the film. It balances close-ups that emphasize the emotional beats of the performances with wider shots that showcase the turmoil bubbling underneath. Overall, the cinematography enhances the film’s comedic and romantic elements, making it an appealing and almost emotional experience.
Rice’s direction allows the film to be both funny and poignant, exploring themes of love, commitment, and self-acceptance. She effectively utilizes the low-key backdrop to enhance the story’s energy and creates a believable and engaging dynamic between the two lead characters. Overall, Rice’s direction and the strong performances of its leads resulted in This is Love!? being a well-crafted and relatable romantic comedy that will undoubtedly resonate with audiences of all creeds, colour, and sexual orientations.
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