The Lovebirds
Paramount Pictures | Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2020 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews
Positive:
16
Mixed:
15
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
85
The VergeJoshua RiveraJun 9, 2020
While it’s not big on declarations of love, comic misunderstandings, or many of the genre trappings, it understands that the best romantic comedies are ones where the two leads are always talking, with each other, at each other, or past each other, constantly trying to sort out their relationship, despite whatever chaos is around them. Read full review
80
Film ThreatBrian ShaerMay 24, 2020
The film’s structural frenzy lends itself to lots of comic riffing from the leads that often results in hilarious one-liners. Read full review
80
Rolling StonePeter TraversMay 20, 2020
The Lovebirds knows how to send out a laugh with a sting in its tail. That’s what they call inspired lunacy. Read full review
80
IGNKristy PuchkoMay 20, 2020
Michael Showalter and company aren't reinventing the wheel here, but it's a solidly made wheel. Following in the footsteps of similar comedies, The Lovebirds offers a wild ride with outlandish action, plenty of popping punch lines, and a romance you can really root for. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterBeandrea JulyMay 20, 2020
With a tightly structured script and Nanjiani and Rae’s raucous yet down-to-earth performances, The Lovebirds makes for a delightful and unexpected ride. Read full review
75
PolygonKaren HanMay 27, 2020
The chemistry between stars Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae keeps the romantic comedy charming. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperMay 21, 2020
Thanks to the sure-handed, fast-paced work and creative framing by director Michael Showalter (an alum of “The State” who helmed the Nanjiani-starring “The Big Sick”); a clever screenplay by Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall, and the impeccable comedic timing of Nanjiani and Rae, The Lovebirds is one of the funniest movies of 2020. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzMay 21, 2020
This is subtly acted by both leads, especially when the characters fall silent and you see shades of doubt and sadness flicker across their faces. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyLeah GreenblattMay 20, 2020
What feels freshest, maybe, is the mere fact of two leads of color taking on all the tropes of the genre and making it feel as modern as they do. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleMay 20, 2020
Sure, not everything is great. Here and there, the movie goes out of its way to be sentimental. But The Lovebirds is a pleasing comedy, funny from beginning to end. That should be enough for anybody. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubKatie RifeMay 20, 2020
The dynamic between this screwball couple is half affectionate and half exasperated, and there are enough funny lines sprinkled throughout—a personal favorite: “documentaries are just reality shows no one watches”—to keep the laughs coming. But while The Lovebirds are sparkling conversationalists, as the plot gets more convoluted, the champagne starts to go flat Read full review
75
ConsequenceMichael RoffmanMay 20, 2020
The Lovebirds is exactly what you want right now in quarantine. It’s a city-scrolling adventure with two catchy leads and romance to boot. It’s the perfect date movie. Read full review
70
TimeStephanie ZacharekMay 21, 2020
These two are both a little mad, and they’re made for each other; it takes this absurd mystery to make them see it. The screwball comedy is the truest and purest language of love. Like the song of lovebirds, it sounds like dizzy chatter—until you stop to really listen. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliMay 25, 2020
The Lovebirds stands out as a worthy opportunity for home entertainment. Read full review
63
The Associated PressLindsey BahrMay 20, 2020
Rae and Nanjiani make the ride fun enough with their easy chemistry and silly, wide-eyed panic at everything they’re witnessing. Still, The Lovebirds lacks the singularity of its stars’ other noteworthy roles. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzMay 20, 2020
A zany mix of dark comedy, slapstick, and high-concept adventure, The Lovebirds moves fast in the hopes that no one notices how messy its construction is. Read full review
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