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SELL BY: A Truly Modern Rom-Com You Won’t Want to End

SELL BY: A Truly Modern Rom-Com You Won’t Want to End

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Rom-coms are in the midst of a reawakening in the light of a continued strive for diversity. While never in complete absence, Crazy Rich Asians, Always Be My Maybe and Love, Simon – just to name a few – are the latest to push the boundaries of diversity, gladly welcomed with open arms by audiences and critics alike. Premiering at the Toronto Inside Out Film Festival and recently shown at OutFest, Sell By is the latest film to fall into these ranks, providing a breadth of roles for diverse characters, all while making viewers feel as if there never was a time without diversity.

Yet it is not just diversity that gives Sell By its strength, but rather each layer of filmmaking and story telling. Sell By checks off every box for a rom-com, while adding a few of their own for future films to take note. Captivating, heart warming and relatable, Sell By is the rom-com you didn’t realize was missing – and you will be thankful you found.

A Film Without an Expiration Date

When Sell By begins, it feels as though you have literally walked into the lives of these individuals on screen, their inside jokes lost to you, your perspective seemingly intrusive to what should be a private moment between friends. It is almost a snapshot of a life, a regular gathering, one that we have all shared with our friends and family. As you begin to discover the personalities associated with each character, a foundation is quickly laid for the entire film, as well as each subsequent storyline the ensemble cast will quickly be thrown into.

source: Outfest

Manoeuvring the avenues of relationships, Marklin (Augustus Prew) and Adam’s (Scott Evans) five year anniversary finds them at a crossroads with themselves and one another. As they struggle to reconnect, they are forced to reevaluate themselves, each other and the relationships of those around them. As they, and their friends, question whether love has an expiration date, they discover that it is not as easy as marking a date on a calendar. Each relationship is different, each having its own shelf life.

Director and writer Mike Doyle’s witty script and irresistible characters will draw audiences into a five year relationship fighting to survive, a teacher warding off the affections of her student, the unconventional beginnings of new love and the shattering of what seemed to be perfection. No story is the same, each character’s journey with love and with one another differing – both romantic and platonic love – the breadth encompassed and the refusal to define one type of relationship will resonate with audiences.

To be honest, watching Sell By had me calling back to Love, Actually – another ensemble rom-com that has not only found a home in the hearts of fans, but a permanent must see within the genre. Sell By does not mimic in situation, but in vibe. There is a feeling that emits, one that audiences will fall in love with and crave to continue once the film has ended. It is as endearing as its predecessor, and sure to be a permanent staple within the genre.

source: Outfest

Creating a Success

Sell By is a film that finds its deepest success in the details – especially when you look at the humor. While dialogue is vital, it is the actors’ interaction with the set and the nonverbal expressions that can truly elevate a film. Here, Doyle’s cast takes his script and brings it to life with a vivacious spirit that will hypnotize and draw audiences in. There is a fusion within the elements of Sell By, one that is not easily broken, one whose welded pieces are seamless.

Success in a rom-com goes beyond humor and a compelling love story. It must speak to you. I don’t know how many rom-coms you hold close to your heart, but I am sure that each and everyone one of them has a deeply rooted meaning and well of emotions that are drawn up when you think of them. It felt at various times that Sell By was speaking to me, almost made for me. This connection heightened my draw and engagement with the film. It didn’t matter the sexual orientation of the characters, the colors of their skin or the age love finds them, elements of love and life is a skin we can all wear and recognize.

source: Outfest

Diversity

Diversity, Diversity, Diversity. Yet, it is important to note, with such a diverse cast, it doesn’t feel forced, instead feeling natural and common place. Sell By is a rom-com that transcends the need for diversity, existing as a film should –  presenting to audiences diverse casting and story without waving it in your face. It just is.

The overarching relationship is between two homosexual men, accompanied by a bi-racial couple, a homeless man and a teacher and her student. With all the pieces drastically different from one another, there is a potential to make one element stand out more than the other, or for there to be pushed feel to the film – “See my diversity”. Instead, there is a natural feel that allows the diversity within the film to exist, never overshadowing the story or the film’s message.

Conclusion: Sell By

Yet, it is not just diversity Sell By excels in. You will be enamored with the story, drawn into each story line throughout the ensemble. Sell By is a film that checks off every box, delivering a truly modern rom-com of the time. Much like Love Actually, this is a film I would love to see revisited in 10 years to find out where our characters have ended up and how they have grown.

Does this sound like a rom-com for you? Let us know in the comments below!

Sell By its currently traveling the festival circuit. For all release dates, see here

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