John McKay’s Not Another Happy Ending is an indifferent experience. By no means a poor film, there’s little to make it stand out or make it exceptional beyond good intentions and fine attention to character. It’s your typical mediocre rom-com, no more and no less.
Jane Lockhart (Karen Gillian) consistently struggles to get her debut novel The Endless Anguish of My Father, into a publishing house. That is until Tom Duvall (Stanley Weber) grabs the book under his struggling publishing house. Under his guidance, they work together to make the book work, including changing the title to Happy Ending. While Jane hates the new name, Tom's fixes are productive as the book becomes an instant hit. Hot off its success, the author finds her both fed up with Tom's snarky attitude and also is taken by screenwriter Willie Scott (Henry Ian Cusick), who has been hired to write the screenplay adaptation of Happy Ending.
Jane is nearly finished on her new novel, but as she reaches her final 37th chapter, the author finds her unusually at a lost for words. Already stressed by this newfound writer's block, Jane must also deal with the failing relationship she's in and also her developing feelings for Tom. If this wasn't enough, she also must deal with her father Benny's (Gary Lewis) re-emergence in her life and also the nagging presence of her protagonist, Darsie (Amy Manson).
Not Another Happy Ending has its heart in the right place. The characters have nice relationships with one another, and McKay and screenwriter David Solomons do a respectable job making these characters feel palpable and likable, despite some hack dialogue and loosely-strung plot threats. But ultimately, this movie is a victim of its own inabilities to progress. There's nothing here that's hasn't been done, and ultimately this rom-com feels like Richard Curtis-lite. There's little tension because the plot is so disposable, and the characters are rather thin when broken down.
Still, the cast is certainly likeable. Gillian always shines in supporting roles, particularly during Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Who, and she proves she has the chops to lead a film. Her personality is bubbly without being annoying, and her delivery feels freshly invested. She's sweet in ways both believable and likable. Same goes for Weber, although it seems the filmmakers don't know whether he should be a lovable asshole or a sarcastic slub. Ultimately, they try to go for both and create a fairly flip-flop character, whose intentions are muddled and actions contradictory.
This movie, all too often, feels like a Scottish holiday. The backdrops are beautiful, shot with great care by cinematographer George Geddes, but they feel like just backdrops. Characters don't feel invested, and only are there to go through the motions. What's most troubling about this is how likable the characters can be. The actors have chemistry and are game, but the filmmakers seem satisfied with themselves too quickly. It's winning sincere when it wants to be, but only goes so far. Had Not Another Happy Ending pushed itself, if just a tad, it would have succeeded. As it, it's just okay enough.
Okay enough is not enough to make it worth the effort. It's comfortable on a Saturday morning, sure, and it is by all means harmless and breezy. It just doesn't have enough to recommend. Gillian has a good career in front of her, and its nice to see a vehicle showcase her charm and talents. However, this is just another romantic comedy, and it also — in case this was a mystery — doesn't live up to its title.
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