January Film Club: People We Meet on Vacation

“Home is where you are entirely yourself”.

The craze of the 2021 award winning book, written by Emily Henry has made its way to Netflix. People We Meet on Vacation took hold of our TV screens on January 9, directed by Brett Haley, who created All the Bright Places. As someone who has never read the book I had no expectations but a cheeky rom-com. 

All I keep thinking about is I have to read the book. At first glance I thought this movie could go too ways for me: cringe or obsessed. Luckily for you it is obsessed. This story isn't just about romantic love it is about friendship, growing up and most of all, platonic love.

The movie spans around two best friends, Poppy Wright, played by Emily Bader. Previously in Lady Jane and Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin and Alex Nilsen, played by Tom Blyth who featured in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. These two have never had anything in common. Even though they live far apart, every summer for ten years they spend a vacation together. But after a halt two years ago, everything was ruined and they haven't spoken since. Now with Poppy in a rut reminiscing when she was last happy, which was with Alex, she tries to convince him to go on one last final trip. 

Being labelled as a comedy hit the spot, I was laughing. Laughing out loud, even my boyfriend was laughing. For most parts of the film you were smiling without realising, apart from the sad parts (of course all romances have to have them somewhere).

It didn’t take you long to feel like you knew the characters almost inside and out. You had Alex who is very straight, plain and hesitant and Poppy who is extroverted, loud and some would say a bit much. Which is exactly why this story is so beautiful because even though they are so different they are both vulnerable in their own ways. Their outer shells are their own way of protecting themselves. Which leads onto what I would describe as their alter egos. For example, they described Alex’s as ‘Vacation Alex’ and ‘Vacation Poppy’. This presented that when they went away with each other they could be their authentic self, let their hair down. But only with each other this happens which shows how important and close their bond is even from the start. From a simple car ride at the beginning they both weren’t shy to who they were but around others this differed. The difference in personalities actually made them similar than you think. A topic that is a big part of the narrative is facing fears and being yourself. With these points they let loose giving silly and goofy aspects.

The moving pictures were fun and bright. The locations they visited and picked were interesting, highlighting cultures around the world, during their vacations. And don’t get me started on the outfits. Each holiday had a different tone and each outfit complimented the location. I noticed as the holidays progressed the more eccentric the outfits were compared to their first trip. The brightness of colours linked with the book cover. It didn’t necessarily represent the entire book but I felt it was fitting that both created this picture of fun and vibrancy.

As a secret lover of romances, modern romances don’t normally impress me. I love an eighties romance and I feel over the decades they have become overdone within the modern era and it isn’t as special. This film had all of the eighties movies easter eggs that I have missed and yearned for. It made sense with the vibrancy and how the film carries itself from scene to scene. 

The main song that became their running joke: ‘Forever Your Girl’ by Paula Abdul fit the pair perfectly even though it was particularly Poppy’s song at the start it reflects who Alex wanted Poppy to be for him. 

With lovers there’s the less happier parts. Because of the connection you made with the two when there were blips and problems on the horizon, you wanted to scream at the telly. I felt it had the right type of emotion and weirdly i wasn’t saying under my breath ‘well this isn’t realistic’ because it was consistent from start to finish. 

My favourite part, as a writer myself was when Poppy decided to make her big decision that would impact what her life would be like. As she was a magazine writer she wrote about her new chapter ahead. It was described as the best piece she ever wrote. Which made sense as it reflected that she made the right decision. 

Overall, I think if you need a bit of an escape and something fun to watch with no deeper feelings, this is a good pick. My rating is ⅘ stars. It is definitely a watch when I am stuck on the sofa or need something to pick me up. And I will promise to read the book this year!