Rye Lane: A Fresh Take on the London Rom-Com
At an exhibition, two souls collide: Dom (David Jonsson), a young man fresh from a tearful breakdown in the restroom over a recent breakup, and Yas (Vivian Oparah), a free-spirited and unemployed designer also reeling from a split. These strangers embark on a whirlwind journey through the streets of South London, sharing their life stories with fervent enthusiasm, pausing only for a spicy burrito or an awkward encounter with their exes.
Vivian Oparah as Yas in a still from “Rye Lane”
Raine Allen Miller’s debut feature film is a vibrant love letter to the backstreets of South London. The majority of the scenes unfold outdoors, offering not only a glimpse into the burgeoning connection between the protagonists but also a tour of the city itself. The sounds of traffic, the shouts of children, the silhouettes of city dwellers in the background, and even a cameo by Colin Firth as a vendor in a Mexican eatery, all contribute to the rich tapestry of the world in which Dom and Yas live, suffer, and rediscover love.
Visual Storytelling
The film’s visual style deserves special mention. Allen Miller employs wide-angle shots, allowing the city to swirl around the characters in sync with their movements. Bright, eye-catching decorations adorn every corner, while sharp cuts and flashback sequences propel the story forward, often more effectively than the dialogue itself.
David Jonsson as Dom in a still from “Rye Lane”
The structure, where two characters wander through the neighborhood engaging in constant conversation, immediately evokes Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy. “Rye Lane” has been hailed as a successor to “Before Sunrise,” but Allen Miller adopts a different tone. Instead of hesitant glances, there’s direct eye contact; instead of leisurely strolls, there are brisk walks and moped rides; and instead of gentle melancholy, there’s a sense of oppressive despair lurking beneath the surface.
Vivian Oparah as Yas in a still from “Rye Lane”
Embracing the Messiness of Heartbreak
A broken heart is a rom-com’s best friend. It often serves as the starting point for a narrative whose primary goal is to quickly turn the page and allow new feelings to sweep the characters off their feet. But Raine Allen Miller focuses on the lingering note of sadness. She emphasizes that time is needed to properly heal wounds, reflect on the past, and consider future steps. Dom and Yas meet at a less-than-ideal time to start a romance. They are Londoners navigating the painful process of separation in their own ways, unsure of how to move forward. The director repeatedly allows the characters to speak their minds, reminding the audience that being stuck in one place is not the end. Feeling angry, fearing job interviews, putting life on hold, moving back in with parents, and ultimately crying in the bathroom – it’s all normal. Dom and Yas meet at the perfect time to help each other sort through the mess within.
A Touch of Rom-Com Magic
Nevertheless, “Rye Lane” is firmly planted in the realm of romance, meaning grand gestures and a final kiss are inevitable. No matter how much the director tries to make the story as realistic as possible, in the end, she generously sprinkles a dose of sentimentality for all genre lovers. These touches, on the one hand, detract from the plot, but on the other hand, they provide a sense of comfort (which is, after all, why we watch romantic comedies!). However, if there truly is a revival and reinterpretation of rom-coms happening now, then hopefully, future films will be at least a little bit like Raine Allen Miller’s bold debut.