The Price of Romance

How long can you stretch a show based on the undeniable chemistry of the leads? Even if the man is a too-boyishly charming rabbi, Noah (Adam Brody). With an adorably energetic shiksa who speaks out of turn.

This is a romcom designed to hide its flaws, which is that no woman is capable of happiness as she finds validation only in the love of men. Joanne (Kristen Bell), her cynical sister (Justine Lupe), and her potential sister-in-law (Jackie Tohn) have tied their lives to men, who no matter how understanding and loving cannot compensate for the lack of self-worth.

We are past the age of movie couples who can’t decide whether they love each other, even if they are faced with the question of conversion. Bell’s love for Brody seems too much like settling for the most socially acceptable romantic partner.

We know there is better writing possible on the hunt for love in these times of hyper polarisation and uber expectations, but this, despite a few old fashioned rat-a-tat dialogues, is not it.