A Modern Rom-Com Twist: Finding Love in the Age of Online Dating
Natalie (played by Nina Dobrev) is no stranger to dating disasters. She navigates the world of dating apps, encountering one disappointing match after another. However, each misadventure becomes fodder for her popular dating column. While readers enjoy her stories, Natalie remains hopeful that she’ll eventually find “the one.” When she matches with Josh (Jimmy O. Yang), who seems perfect on paper – handsome, intelligent, and sharing her interests – there’s just one catch: he lives across the country. Impulsively, Natalie decides to surprise him with a visit, only to discover that Josh isn’t quite the person he portrayed himself to be online.
Nina Dobrev as Natalie in “Love Hard”
Challenging Rom-Com Tropes
Many romantic comedies from the 90s and early 2000s not only presented unrealistic relationship expectations but also perpetuated the idea of “perfect” people. We’ve been conditioned to expect a Hugh Grant-esque leading man or a classic blonde heroine, believing that our ideal partner should resemble these archetypes. Natalie, to some extent, falls into this trap. She creates an image in her mind and struggles to accept imperfections, leading her to abandon potential relationships rather than giving them a chance. Dobrev’s character, existing within the rom-com universe, ironically suffers from the genre’s own clichés.
However, this isn’t a radical deconstruction of the genre. We can predict the ending and who will share a Christmas Eve kiss fairly early on. Yet, the film becomes more engaging when it presents a relatable couple and a conventionally attractive woman choosing someone who isn’t the stereotypical “handsome” guy.
Jimmy O. Yang as Josh in “Love Hard”
Online Dating in the Spotlight
The film’s love story revolves around online dating, a ubiquitous part of modern life. It’s interesting to see how this phenomenon is portrayed on screen. Profiles, swipes, and the prevalence of filters and fabricated personas reflect our current era. In today’s fast-paced world, people often prefer the perceived certainty of dating apps. The film doesn’t dwell on the implications of this trend, which works in its favor. Dating apps are so commonplace for the 2021 audience that there’s no need to explain their normalcy. A humorous example is Josh’s grandmother, who embraces online dating and encourages her retirement home friends to do the same.
Nina Dobrev as Natalie in “Love Hard”
Authenticity and Self-Acceptance
Using online dating as a backdrop, “Love Hard” explores how insecurity can prevent us from being honest with ourselves and others. The internet allows people to create idealized versions of themselves, masking their insecurities. Josh, fearing rejection, resorts to deception to feel desired. As his character unfolds, the film subtly challenges gender stereotypes – a young man who enjoys making candles is portrayed as equally appealing as his “macho” brother. Perhaps when Natalie sheds her idealized expectations, she’ll find true happiness. Ultimately, this Netflix offering may not rival “Love Actually,” but its sincerity makes the idea of love feel a little more real.