Idle Thoughts

Idle Thoughts‘ basic premise is about a woman faking a long-term relationship so she can write a book about it. This is a fairly classic romcom trope. The most obvious connection for me at least was how similar the plot is to How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Except Idle Thoughts is queer. And cheaper. And less memorable. And less funny. Really, other than the queer thing, there’s nothing present in this movie that makes it different, let alone better than How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

The film opens with lead character, Poppy talking directly to the audience. She discusses a film’s requirement to “teach” its audience something. She goes on to claim that’s not really what her story is. But, maybe once you’re done watching superhero movies, you’ll give her little story a chance. I don’t think I’ve ever been judged or shamed for not watching a movie while I am in fact, watching that movie. Not off to a great start.

Then, the plot actually begins. But Poppy still loves to turn to the camera and voice opinions. None of which add depth or humour to the story. Poppy is very much behind in her writing. Her employers are coming down hard, but Poppy has no ideas. Then, she makes the logical leap from no ideas to faking a whole relationship for the purpose of a book. Her employers are thrilled and support this idea. So, despite their many differences, Poppy begins a relationship with the commitment-focused Elaine.

Somewhere along the line, Poppy apparently develops real feelings for Elaine. It’s a romcom, so the third act hinges on that. But far be it from me to see where this happens. Poppy seems annoyed by Elaine pretty much the whole movie. She even writes a section about how just when she’s feeling guilty for lying to her, she remembers all the annoying things Elaine does and presses onward with her deeply unkind book. I still don’t see what the marketability of Poppy’s book is. Certainly not as some sort of how-to guide. Because most people don’t have any actual desire or need to fake a long term relationship.

Idle Thoughts is a little mean and not at all funny. Poppy is not an enjoyable character to spend time with. Nor are her failings or flaws funny enough to work in a comedy. She’s just an average, slightly mean woman who won’t stop lying to her girlfriend. Through most of the film, I was rooting for the third act breakup. And once it inevitably happened, I really didn’t want Poppy and Elaine to reconcile.

All in all, Idle Thoughts isn’t a good rom-com. The romance goes beyond not believable. It’s hardly present at all. The film depicts all the bad bits of a long-term relationship but without the good bits like you know, enjoying each other as people or something. And of course, the movie isn’t funny either. Not once did I even smile watching Idle Thoughts. It was irritating more than anything. I can’t call this a successful project in any way.

Overall rating: 3.1/10

Other WLW films in similar genres