Rye Lane. It’s not as well known as East End’s Brick Lane. It’s not as sung about as the Beatles’ “Penny Lane.” It doesn’t matter. Rye Lane was its own enjoyable, lovable, and rewatchable movie that brings the audience on a romantic rambling down a South London street.
Rye Lane is a romantic comedy film directed by Raine Allen Miller and released on March 31, 2023. The movie tells the story of Dom, played by David Jonsson, and Yas, played by Vivian Oparah. The two happen upon each other while at an art gallery’s toilet, in an awkward and emotional first meeting. Their initial meet-up transforms on their rousing romantic route up and down Rye Lane.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Rye Lane is the way in which it captures the fleeting, ephemeral nature of romantic connection. As Dom and Yas wander through the city, they discuss everything from love and politics to personal anxieties and childhood memories. Their conversation is at times deep and philosophical, and at other times playful and flirtatious.
This is Raine Allen-Miller‘s directorial debut, and she’s confident behind the camera. The film speaks to that. Whether it be her specific vision or her trust in the talented cinematographer, Olan Collardly, she’s not shy. Allen-Miller’s choices, using anamorphic lenses, wide shots, powerful close-ups, and a color palette many attribute to Wes Anderson-types, are promising for future films as much as it is brilliant and lovely for Rye Lane.
Photo by Chris Harris. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
Throughout the movie, Jonsson and Oparah playfully interact, putting on some masterful character exploration, as attraction sparks and grows between the two. Hijinks, laughs, karaoke, awkward dinners, it’s the perfect meet cute turned cute caper at times. Don’t be surprised when you see these two on ITV in a hit show, or on the big screen leading or supporting some bigger names. They’re both fit for the fame they’ll receive in good time.
Rye Lane is a lovable, fun, emotive, artistic, creative, and vulnerable film. A chance encounter blossoms into a fledgling love story, and whether you’re a romcom fan, lover of all things British, or looking for an example of the upcoming talent and visual talents coming out of this South London flick, sit down and enjoy Rye Lane.
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Rye Lane is currently streaming on Hulu in the USA.
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While you’re here…Check out this sneak peek from the film:
Rye Lane – An Overview from the Studio:
From director Raine Allen-Miller, RYE LANE is a romantic comedy that stars David Jonsson (“Industry,” “Deep State”) and Vivian Oparah (“Class,” “The Rebel”), as Dom and Yas, two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course of an eventful day in South Lo ndon – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance. Searchlight Pictures, BBC Film, and BFI present RYE LANE, a DJ Films and Turnover Films production.
Written by Nathan Bryon & Tom Melia, and directed by Raine Allen-Miller, the film is produced by Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo and Damian Jones. Kharmel Cochrane is the casting director. Olan Collardy is the director of photography. Victoria Boydell is the editor. Anna Rhodes is the production designer. Costume design was done by Cynthia Lawrence-John, hair and make-up by Bianca Simone Scott, and an original score by Kwes.
The film was developed with the assistance of BBC Film, and funded by Searchlight Pictures, BBC Film and the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding). Executive Producers are Eva Yates and Rose Garnett for BBC Films, Kristin Irving for the BFI, Sophie Meyer, Paul Grindey and Charles Moore. RYE LANE will make its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Searchlight Pictures will release the film theatrically in the UK on March 17th, 2023 and the film will streaming exclusively on Disney’s DTC platforms as a Hulu Original in the U.S. and on Disney+ Internationally for the rest of the world on March 31st, 2023.
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Still here? Check out other articles from Tristan, more reviews for UK films, and more reviews on RomComs.