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There’s the inevitable point in any new relationship where labels start getting thrown around. Sometimes, people are simply looking for different things romantically, leading to an uncomfortable conversation. Oh, Hi! puts a darkly comedic spin on this idea, and although it doesn’t fully embrace its zany potential, it’s well worth watching for its small but immensely entertaining cast.
The chemistry between Logan Lerman and Molly Gordon is off the charts. The beginning chapter of this story sees the two of them caught up in the beginning stages of a new relationship. They’re adorable together, with flirtatious jabs and longing looks of affection. They seem like a match made in heaven, but the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) foreshadowing hints that this might not be the case. When confronted with defining what their relationship is, things begin to… escalate.
That escalation had me hooked, and once I had an idea of where the movie was headed, I was excited for the possibilities. While it does provide some ridiculously unhinged exchanges between this “happy couple”, I can’t help but feel it could’ve gone much further with the idea. It builds to a point of intrigue, and then just kind of holds at that level for the majority of its runtime. It’s never dull, but it plateaus in a way that causes it to drag slightly in the second and third acts. There are some fun full circle moments toward the end that loop back into events from the beginning of the movie, but I wanted a tad more darkness from this dark comedy.
Despite those shortcomings, the cast made every scene a joy to watch. As mentioned. Lerman and Gordon are both fantastic, especially once they start trying to navigate the situation they’ve gotten into. Gordon’s able to switch from sweet and endearing to manic in the blink of an eye. Lerman’s character isn’t exactly flawless either, and he plays it so well. When Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds are thrown into the mix, that’s when the movie hits its peak comedic potential.
Oh, Hi! offers a fun take on the turbulence of labeling new love. It constantly flirts with embracing its darker comedic potential, but settles for something a little milder and more digestible instead. Led by two strong lead performances and backed by a pair of hilarious supporting players, this is still a movie you’ll want to swipe right on.
3/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett