Paramount Pictures | Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2020
5.2
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 89 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
26
Mixed:
43
Negative:
20
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5
tropicAcesMay 22, 2020
I love Issa Rae, but she and Nanjiani can only do so much with a script that runs out of jokes at the halfway mark.
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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3
NaniamaniaMay 24, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If only they had ended their relationship at the apartment before getting into the car and going to the party. That would have been a more enjoyable movie. What follows the “accident” is forced, predictable, completely unbelievable, and dull. I like Issa and Kumail but this is the wrong vehicle for them. The chemistry is not there...neither are the laughs. Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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4
SturmhardtMay 22, 2020
I like stupid comedies but this one just wasn't very funny. It was okay but really on the lower end. Watch only if you are REALLY bored.
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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0
jsowersMay 26, 2020
The two leads must be students of Stephen Hawking because they've opened a black hole into which all human chemistry is sucked into oblivion.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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4
meinsouzaJun 15, 2020
this movie was so impossibly blend and generic that I fail to find redeeming qualities, and worse of all, Kumail and Issa Rae have zero..i mean ZERO CHEMISTRY...what a waste of time
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
JLuis_001Jun 13, 2020
Even with its marked differences and blatant different characters, during all the duration this movie reminded me of Date Night with Steve Carell and Tina Fey.
And the truth is that it didn't amuse me
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
SAULTSHAKERMay 23, 2020
Big fan of Kumail Nanjiani in general, which is why I watched the movie. The plot was lacking, but I thought both leads put on a good performance. During quarantine, it's worth it. In theaters, probably not.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Davrosdaleks1May 24, 2020
Lovebirds, is about a couple (Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani) whom after being mistaken for the culprits of a murder go chasing after the real murderer (Paul Sparks). This was a little hard to rate as the film equally has stuff I liked andLovebirds, is about a couple (Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani) whom after being mistaken for the culprits of a murder go chasing after the real murderer (Paul Sparks). This was a little hard to rate as the film equally has stuff I liked and disliked.

Jokes are hit-and-miss. The funniest parts are derived from investigating the mystery (we know who did it but not why.) Things can get dark, and it is at the sure unexpectedness of this darkness that the movie works best.

The jokes that don't work are often at the points that the focus is more on the personal lives of the characters, which isn't as strong. There is a conflict set up between the couple that never feels real enough. It doesn't help that the jokes are often stretched. So if you don't like one, expect it to go on for a while. There is a little too much observational humor and the characters overreacting to things.

Though they can't make the weak bit work, Rae and Nanjiani are good in this and have chemistry together.

I was on the fence about how I felt about this. I actually recommend you watch this because I feel that there'd be a good amount of people who'd prefer this more than me. Even if you don't like it, I think it's more likely to be a miss with you rather than something you outright dislike.
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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0
MARCOS414May 29, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Me and my fiance had to stop watching half way in. Horrible acting by the main actors. Instead of telling truth to cops or the lady they just make up random things...which makes it horrible to watch when they don't tell people they didn't kill bicycle. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
geometricalMay 22, 2020
Not the best that we've seen Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, but enjoyable nonetheless.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
eagleeyevikingMay 28, 2020
While the story is ridiculous and unambitious, the chemistry between Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae is what keeps "The Lovebirds" afloat. It's light tone, amusing moments, and brief runtime also make it an ideal Netflix watch.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
ProfessorfettJun 6, 2020
The Lovebirds a movie you normally would have to pay to see in theaters went straight to Netflix due to recent events. I can say for a Netflix movie it isn't terrible. I know that is glowing praise, but if I were to pay to see this inThe Lovebirds a movie you normally would have to pay to see in theaters went straight to Netflix due to recent events. I can say for a Netflix movie it isn't terrible. I know that is glowing praise, but if I were to pay to see this in theaters I would be less then generous to it. The Lovebirds is a romantic comedy where if you watch the trailer you have seen all the jokes basically. That is a huge problem that trailer had me thinking that this film was going to be a side splitting good time. Instead I got a passable comedy. I do mean it is passable due to the fact you will laugh at some of the jokes... but not many. The plot focuses on a couple who end up being accessories to a murder from a guy claiming to be a cop, and the comedy ensues. Some may find Kumail Nanjiani annoying due to how he is complaining the entire film. It didn't bother me, but be warned he is the exact character he was in Stuber. Issa Rae playing (his girlfriend) actually has the best jokes in the movie. These two are likable just the movie isn't that funny. If you have Netflix by all means still check it out for a movie you for the most part spend no money on it is worth that. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
Stream2BigScreeMay 23, 2020
There is a typical comedy that seems to come out every summer that involves a couple in a rut, a strange turn of events, and its all resolved over the course of a crazy night out. Steve Carrell and Tina Fey romped through it as a boringThere is a typical comedy that seems to come out every summer that involves a couple in a rut, a strange turn of events, and its all resolved over the course of a crazy night out. Steve Carrell and Tina Fey romped through it as a boring married couple in Date Night. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams joked about in it as a buttoned-up couple in Game Night. Now, we have Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani in the Netflix premiere of The Lovebirds trading barbs as a couple at the end of their rope on this fateful night. If you have seen one of these movies, then you have seen them all; in these action/crime/romance comedies the entertainment value, chemistry of the leads and the humor determine whether they are worth the time. Let’s see how The Lovebirds fares.

For The Lovebirds, the premise is pretty basic and set forth in the trailer. Rae and Nanjiani play a bickering couple who have run out of patience for each other and have lost the excitement in their relationship. On one evening out in New Orleans, a policeman commandeers their vehicle and proceeds to murder a cyclist. Was that a real policeman? Is this couple now accomplices in this crime? Are they in danger and how do they prove they aren’t the criminals? Hijinks ensue.

The Lovebirds is directed by comedy vet, Michael Showalter, who previously directed Nanjiani in The Big Sick, which is a more thoughtful comedy available on Amazon Prime. It is a face paced movie. The catalyst event happens in the first 10 minutes, but from there, it does get a bit episodic but it moves at a good clip. As the couple follows the clues to the next set piece, the comedy doesn’t really ratchet up anything. We meet new characters and there a few surprises near the end, but those characters aren’t very memorable as they are just breadcrumbs along the way. The movie needs more tension or a heightening of reality because otherwise it doesn’t set itself apart for any others in this genre.

The chemistry between Rae and Nanjiani is good though. Each plays a modern archetype. Rae is the image obsessed woman who works at a marketing firm and her boyfriend isn’t exciting enough for her. Nanjiani is the straight-laced, documentary filmmaker who’s jealousy bubbles just beneath the surface. There is a meet-cute between Rae and Nanjiani early on that doesn’t really show why they are in this relationship, but the back-and-forth between the two works and is funny throughout the film. Without these two, this film would have been boring noise just to play in the background. I can’t say that the film itself is funny, but the leads do their best to make the most of it.

Ultimately, if this movie were in the theaters, I would say wait until it is on some streaming service. In our current climate, since The Lovebirds has premiered on Netflix, it is a decent film to watch on a casual night at home. Grab a bowl of popcorn. Curl up with your boo and see if you would make it through this hellacious night unscathed. Besides it is less than 90 minutes, you have that time – I know you do.
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
OldAintDeadMay 23, 2020
The Lovebirds is ridiculous, but funny. No sensible humans would act like these two act, but if they'd been sensible there would be no movie.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
HamboigahJun 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this film - watched it with my partner and found it hilarious. Not to be taken too seriously! The dynamic between the main two is sweet and funny.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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3
TVJerryMay 23, 2020
Issa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani play a couple who are about to break up, when an accident turns into murder and sends them on the run. This basic plot has been done plenty…with better action and writing. While they're both trying to bring theIssa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani play a couple who are about to break up, when an accident turns into murder and sends them on the run. This basic plot has been done plenty…with better action and writing. While they're both trying to bring the funny, the script doesn't help. It lacks any originality and their predicaments aren't especially fun or surprising. Michael Showalter directed Nanjiani's hit The Big Sick (my review), but it was written by Nanjiani and his wife. Unfortunately, Nanjiani's word processor wasn't on this project and the trio of writers lacked any comic inspiration. The chemistry between the leads is decent, but it's not sufficient to overcome their unfortunate situation (literally and figuratively). Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
marcmyworksOct 6, 2020
A not so funny film about a couple caught up in a night of craziness. This film trope has been done to death and has never really worked. Well shot though.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
RalfbergsApr 25, 2021
I found it funny and interesting throughout. Of course it had many stupid parts and can be considered cheesy comedy, but maybe I like such dunno. Plus it wasn't completely predictable
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Rcavey92212Jul 11, 2020
I remember seeing this trailer in theaters. I couldn't wait for it, it looked so hilarious. I'm a big fan of the brilliant Issa Rae because of HBO's awesome series Insecure. I'm also a fan of sexy Kumail Nanjiani (Stuber) I find his humorI remember seeing this trailer in theaters. I couldn't wait for it, it looked so hilarious. I'm a big fan of the brilliant Issa Rae because of HBO's awesome series Insecure. I'm also a fan of sexy Kumail Nanjiani (Stuber) I find his humor clever. Of course coronavirus happened and theaters closed and it looked like I would have to wait a while. Lucky for me Netflix picked it up and released it on my birthday. I went in with decent expectations and I was mostly satisfied. The movie centers around the two actors whose relationship is falling apart.
Suddenly they find themselves on the run after a supposed cop commanders his car and runs down a man. Fearful they will be blamed for the murder they flee and than try and solve the crime as they run from the increasing group of criminals and cops. The movie is funny and the actors deliver solid performances. But the material could have used a bit more development and because of that it feels a bit stunted. That being said it's still an enjoyable flick, it's just not very memorable.

6.5/10
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6
manningn15Jun 22, 2020
It was enjoyable but was really just a time filler and I really wouldn't see myself watching it again because it wasn't as funny as I was hoping. The writing was not bad but not as funny as I hoped, the humor seemed forced at times. KumailIt was enjoyable but was really just a time filler and I really wouldn't see myself watching it again because it wasn't as funny as I was hoping. The writing was not bad but not as funny as I hoped, the humor seemed forced at times. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae's performances were excellent, their performances really saved the movie from being really bad. The makeup and hairstyling was terrific especially on Issa Rae. Overall not horrible but not amazing, it was enjoyable and their were some pretty funny moments. Expand
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3
MohammadBAghriJun 27, 2020
This text does not contain spoilers
And that's just a short review, not all parts of the film, and it's just a summary.
Is this really a movie? Sometimes you can even use the word "worst"!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
CodeJBDAJun 22, 2020
The game is a disappointing excursion into a world devoid of the magic that made the first game so wonderful, namely moments exploring the character interactions and relationship between Joel and Ellie. The game chooses to avoid the obviousThe game is a disappointing excursion into a world devoid of the magic that made the first game so wonderful, namely moments exploring the character interactions and relationship between Joel and Ellie. The game chooses to avoid the obvious story that we all expected--the story that would have been more challenging to write due to our expecting it, but much more rewarding if they had the talent to pull it off--and chooses instead to go off and wallow in a grotesque landscape that is like something written for the Onion. Expand
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8
musicalmarvellAug 10, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I honestly thought I was tuning in for 1 hour and 27 minutes of pure stupidity and nonsense when I pressed the play button for "The Lovebirds". I was kind of wrong. To be completely honest, I actually enjoyed this film. The screenplay was decent. I thought the jokes weren't too cheesy; I actually found them funny. The chemistry between Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae wasn't the worst. I definitely enjoyed Issa Rae's hilarious performance! Yes, part of the movie is completely absurd (especially the part where they were gullible enough to trust a sketchy-a*s man who claimed he was police and then they just SAT THERE AND WATCHED HIM RUN OVER SOME POOR DUDE LIKE WHAT IN THE WORLD??). But, I just found it entertaining, enjoyable, funny, thrilling even. (not the murder part btw lol).

I'm honestly glad "The Lovebirds" didn't premiere in theaters because it would've flopped financially FOR SURE.
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7
NyreemuseJul 21, 2020
I loved it! Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiami had a quirky energy and chemistry that was delightful to watch unfold. It isn’t Casablanca or The Princess Bride, but it is entertaining and a fun and fanciful distraction from the real world.
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5
geewahDec 26, 2020
Rae & Nanjiani try their best to make this rom-com work, but a limited screenplay is what holds this movie back.
Average.
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