“Isn’t It Romantic,” directed by Todd Strauss-Shulson, creates a realistic standpoint when it comes to love, Valentine’s Day and romantic comedies. The main character Natalie (Rebel Wilson) or Nat, like the bug, is a New York architect who is more likely to take her coworkers’ coffee orders rather than work on the next skyscraper. After growing up invisible to others because of her “unattractive” appearance, Nat is cynical about love and allows the audience to relate to her insecurities when it comes to relationships. She finds herself in an alternate universe after a subway mugging gone wrong. In her alternate universe, she is the main character starring in her worst nightmare: a romantic comedy. During her medically-induced coma, Nat has to find her true love under unrealistic circumstances in order to re-awake in her normal life

When Nat finds herself unable to go home after her ideal man, Blake (Liam Hemsworth), confesses his love for her, she resorts to forcing her best friend (who is also friendzoned in the real world), played by Adam Devine, to fall in love with her as a last option. She goes to stop her best friend’s wedding with his dream girl, Isabella (Priyanka Chopra), when Nat suddenly realizes her one true love has been under her nose all along.

Throughout the movie, Nat constantly chases other people’s affection and love when all she really needed was her own validation. With realizing self-love is the key, Nat snaps back into her universe and decides to take control and channel her inner boss woman. The director masterfully shows not every typical rom-com situation has to happen in “Isn’t It Romantic.” Not only does the film encourage self-assurance, but it also shows women working together to achieve something greater and highlights the fact that a significant other is not necessary to feel happy.

Apart from the movie’s cheesy moments, “Isn’t It Romantic” did have hysterical scenes in which only Wilson could perfectly depict. The only issue was how the movie was too predictable; it was refreshing for viewers to see a romantic comedy without an actual love story between two people, so it was a bit disappointing whenever Wilson’s character ended up making a move with the same man she friendzoned.

It should be mentioned that the film features a show-stopping karaoke scene and musical ending. Viewers who dislike musicals should definitely avoid this film as there are plenty of scenes involving random choreographed numbers every character spontaneously knows.

Strauss-Shulson brilliantly pokes fun at typical love stories while also teaching an important lesson of confidence and self-love. Overall, this movie earns a high 4.5 out of 5 stars, with the only flaw being the film was too predictable. But, it wouldn’t be a true romantic comedy without some sort of romance.