Rachael Leigh Cook, who we know from one of the best 90s romcoms ever, takes the lead as Susan Whitaker, an idealistic lawyer struggling financially to keep her practice afloat. Cook is all grown up from her “She’s All That” days, and is effortless in the role of a quirky comical character who doesn’t have a minute of free time for dating but yearns for true love nonetheless.
Pairing with Cook is the great Damon Wayans Jr. as Nick Evans, a physical therapist and himself an idealistic romantic. Wayans is one of my favorite characters on “New Girl” a top show of mine, and here brings his natural comic talent to the story. Nick hires Susan to represent him in a lawsuit against a dating app called Love, Guaranteed. Nick has been an absurd number of dates, and wants to sue the company for fraud since their guarantee of falling in love has failed him.
Set in the gorgeous city of Seattle, “Love, Guaranteed” is the type of story that could just as easily be on the Hallmark Channel at Christmas season. Production wisely set the story in the Fall, and we thankfully get something a bit different than holiday merriment (which we’ll have plenty of soon) with beautiful foliage, walks around the city, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes or PSL as I’ve recently learned.
Rachael Leigh Cook is well known for her entrance in “She’s All that” and here we get some subtle throwbacks to her 90s stardom. She’s single, so the quintessential Chinese food and wine are her diet, but one great shot early on depicting Susan alone gazing out the window of her duplex while her sister and sister’s family are together on the opposite side is a great touch and shows there’s some element of filmmaking at play. To do research for the case, Susan signs up for the online dating service, leading to some of the funniest moments in the story.
Cheesy but effective comedy is filled in with the supporting cast. Lisa Durupt and Sean Amsing play Susan’s quirky legal staff. Caitlin Howden and Brendan Taylor are the child expecting sister and brother-in-law, and the great Heather Graham serves as the antagonist in the form of Tamara Taylor, the Love, Guaranteed CEO. While only in a handful of scenes, Graham is a thoroughly memorable character.
There’s no way not to adore “Love, Guaranteed.” Anyone who has used dating apps can appreciate the premise, and while you can probably spot the ending a mile away, it’s still an enjoyable ride. If you like this, check out Cook in “She’s All That” and Wayans in “New Girl.” You’ll thank me later.
