‘Happy Hours’ review: Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson aim for magic, but this encounter is more likely to leave you feeling down rather than swooning

Dawson Creek Fans will enjoy a true nostalgia fest with the latest film written, directed by and starring Katie Holmes. With her former colleague Joshua Jackson as her co-star, Happy hours Proves that the two actors still have undeniable chemistry and make middle age look very good. Unfortunately, this romantic drama making its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival is one of those films where the characters and situations feel so contrived and unreal that you find yourself shaking your head in bewilderment.

This film’s first clue about former high school sweethearts reuniting after decades is an on-screen quote by Alan Watts before the story begins. It’s just the first of many attempts by Holmes to show that she’s done a lot of reading. By the time we hear similar compliments to Neruda and Rilke, it has long since become clear that she also watched a lot of Woody Allen films.

The story takes place naturally in Manhattan, where everyone spends their days in the most picturesque settings, from Central Park to Washington Square Park to Chinatown. Almost every site is recognizable even to those who do not live in the city.

Holmes plays Liz, a recently divorced photojournalist who is no longer interested in photographing celebrities, but prefers to photograph real people, much to the consternation of her agent (Constance Wu). To this end, she wanders the streets, encountering couples who wander at every step as if the city were infected with a love virus.

While developing one of her shots, she spots a familiar figure in the background. Her former love turns out to be Andrew (Jackson), who we soon learn is a famous travel writer with a new book out. Of course, Andrew is not just a travel writer, i.e. the kind who writes about upscale Maldives resorts. that it serious Type, person who makes statements on the order of “I think it’s important for global experience to be expressed through local conversation.”

In one of the many coincidences that punctuate the story, Liz is asked to photograph Michael for a magazine story. Cue the awkward reunion, with Michael looking happy and Liz looking great. Eventually, they agreed to a coffee date, where they each brought a list of prepared questions. Because that’s what every couple does when they don’t see each other for a long time.

Happy hours It’s also the kind of movie where fateful misunderstandings that could easily be cleared up in a few seconds are postponed for a significant portion of the running time. In this case, it involves Michael declaring he has someone new in his life and Liz immediately freezing him out because she thinks he’s seeing someone else. Of course, this isn’t what you think, just more proof that Michael is a trustworthy catch.

Along the way, we’re treated to flashbacks that depict the pair as lovestruck teenagers (Jonah Dias Watson and Jack Martin, both looking suitably lunar) bonding over their shared love of Blondie’s music. We also learn why they broke up and never communicated again, which doesn’t make as much sense as anything else in the movie.

Between the awkward, desperate scenes in which Liz and Andrew display the emotional intelligence of reality show contestants, there are attempts at comedic relief involving several of the supporting characters. Particularly awkward are the scenes featuring Mary-Louise Parker as Liz’s feisty Aunt, who happily takes up a series of sexual partners. On the other hand, Michael’s frequent interactions with his best friends Charlie (Joe Tippett) and John (John McGinty), with most of their dialogue conducted in American Sign Language due to John’s deafness, are entertaining if somewhat forced.

The two leads are such likable and passionate actors that it’s even more disappointing that the film doesn’t seem believable for a second. Holmes pointed this out Happy hours It is the first installment in a trilogy, styled by Richard Linklater before films. You may want to rethink.