Diandra Reviews It All- The Lovebirds Hilariously Soar

Watching The Lovebirds, I was so ready to be won over. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae as a comedy couple caught in a murder mystery? Why yes, I WILL WATCH! Moreover, seeing a mixed-race couple as the leads was invigorating and inviting to watch, which is why I was coming in with a lot of hope. Luckily, the movie delivered in laughs thanks to the bombastic humor, yet emoted humility of its two leads.

Written by Aaron Abrams and directed by Michael Showalter, the premise might not be the newest, a la Date Night or Murder Mystery. Yet, you don’t always get rid of the old; you make it fresh again, especially when it comes to couples getting caught in totally awkward situations like crossing paths with a sex cult, crooked cops, or a crazy, barnyard couple. In typical fashion, The Lovebirds finds our “lovebirds” in a tight spot emotionally. At first, we meet Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Rae) at the VERY VERY beginning of their relationship. The chemistry is palpable; with a coy flirtation back and forth that makes crushing on someone feel like a chess game of sensuality. Unfortunately, we fast forward a couple of years to find that the chess game has become a constant battle of bickering and secretly feeling like they are brining each other down.
The Lovebirds (2020) – Official Trailer – Netflix

What is interesting about The Lovebirds is that, like many young couples, Jibran and Leilani may act married but they are not. Thus, the film draws you into this couple as they teeter the lines between absolutely breaking up or locking this bond down. While in the beginning they are “over” and maintaining appearances, getting framed together for killing a bicyclist will make you stick by someone, especially if you both recognize that cops, to people of color, are not a protective force as much as an arresting one. They, immediately, know or, at least believe, they can’t explain to the cops that a white man, pretending to be distressed, hi-jacked their ride, killed a bicyclist, and aptly disappeared with them in front their weapon/ car. It sounds outlandish, and “trust” between POCs and police is not something that is mutual. Thus, they decide to make a run for it, and go through so much hell, you wonder if explaining to the cops would have been easier.

Queen & Slim was one of my favorite films last year, and I can’t help but think that The Lovebirds is the comical version of this dark, political tale. Both couples recognize they are screwed and decide to run from the cops, but, of course, the difference lies in the comedy and the hopefulness, If Queen & Slim was a cultural statement on POCs relationship with police, The Lovebirds finds hope/ laughs in the genuine belief of Leilani and Jibran that they can become instant detectives and free themselves. Their sheer drive to prove their innocence is inherently charming, but the giggles and physical comedy comes from the fact that becoming an exceptional “homicide investigator” does not happen overnight: even if your life is on the line.
Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani talk about their new movie, ‘The Lovebirds’ l GMA

The humor of this film is that our star couple knock their smart minds together to approach finding their murderer like one does a google search or wikipedia binge. Yet, the joy of this film is that they are not bad, and, though they get into hilarious, messed-up situations, you pull for them as they scrape by the “skin of their teeth” and the unicorn outfits they bought at a pharmacy. The urgency and relatable shock Najiani and Rae give to Jibran and Leilani pulls at your heart and leaves you smiling. They genuinely feel like a couple you know, which is why you can’t help but understand why these “lovebirds” are in for a bumpy ride. Still. love conquers all, even when being framed for a homicide. The Lovebirds comes out May 22 on Netflix. (Kudos! To Netflix for keeping people amused with this quarantine content!)