Based on Emily Henry’s best-selling novel, People We Meet on Vacation tells the story of two best friends Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), who take an annual summer vacation anywhere around the world. Yet, one ruinous trip leads them to be strangers once again; that is until Poppy decides to join Alex on one more journey.
While the film captures the heart and charm that made the novel so beloved, some key elements seemed to get lost when translating it from page to screen.
However, the director Brett Hayley certainly knew how to incorporate both the “rom” and “com” into romantic comedy. Moments where Poppy leaned into to her overbearing curiosity- like when bombarding Alex with questions after they just met- combined with her spunky, childlike energy (as seen in New Orleans) was the driving factor for the chaos in the movie. And I obviously can’t ignore Alex’s steady, caring and deeply attentive self which perfectly grounds Poppy, orchestrating the perfect setting for opposites to attract. I mean a male character that is emotionally reliable, introspective and nurturing? Yes please.
Of course, these elements are only noticed because of the chemistry of the actors, Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. This type of chemistry comes naturally, which makes it all the more believable. They’re the exact reason why this isn’t just a romance but rather a romantic comedy.
As a romantic comedy, the adaption checks all the boxes, making it the perfect comfort movie for any teenage girl. But it’s the actual “adapting” part that proves trickier, as some key parts of the book are inevitably lost and condensed. Much of the character backgrounds are overlooked, vacation spots are skipped and a lot of internal dialogue and reflection is sped up.
I mean I get it, you can’t have every intricate detail in the book to be interpreted in the movie. However, leaving some characteristics out makes the movie feel patchy, with noticeable gaps between the plot events; completely disregarding the original plot line. Not to mention, these missing details make the “friends-to-lovers” arc feel rushed, lacking the slow burn of the book and preventing viewers from fully immersing themselves in the characters’ journey.
Cute, laughable and full of heart, People We Meet on Vacation is a top contender for a new favorite rom com, but in straying from the novel, it loses the very plot and emotional depth that defined the novel.
