'The Other Zoey' movie review: Fairly diverting Formulaic romcom

A still from The Other Zoey

Film: The Other Zoey
Cast: Josephine Langford, Drew Starkey, Archie Renaux, Mallori Johnson,Heather Graham, Andie MacDowell, Patrick Fabian, Jorge López, Amalia Yoo
Director : Sara Zandieh
Rating: 2.5/5
Runtime: 91 mins

A teen romcom, this film has Zoey Miller (Josephine Langford), a super smart computer major, also regarded as a brainiac nerd, student at Queens University in Charlotte, who has created an app for matching couples through statistical data, uninterested in romantic love. The over-analytical left-brainer believes only in compatibility as defined by shared interests. Her matchmaking app facilitates such pairings, but her peers and bestie, flatmate Elle (Mallori Johnson) are unimpressed. Zoey's life gets turned upside down when Zack (Drew Starkey), the school's soccer jock, gets amnesia and mistakes Zoey for his girlfriend.

It's a hopelessly contrived set-up reminding one of ‘While You Were Sleeping' - but of course , this one's happening while he is wide awake! Scriptwriter Matthew Tabak hasn't made much effort to percolate the predicaments or keep the romantic contretemps uniquely engaging.

Of course Chemistry trumps data any day (at least in the movies). This is a rather innocuous comedy that has very little to laugh at. The plot hinges entirely on a gimmicky plot contrivance of mistaken identity. It's also too formulaic and fails to provide anything beyond that to interest the viewer. Familiar genre complications arise as the two central players deal with their exes and come to a please-all conclusion.

The final half hour plays out in perfunctory fashion. Montages and soundtrack choices keep the narrative upbeat. Director Sara Zandieh, maintains a breezy pace while the cinematographer keeps the visuals glossy and inviting.

The actors are attractive and their performances fairly likeable - enough to keep you interested. It feels good to see Andie McDowell and Heather Graham as parents - Their mere presence is enough to keep your interest going. Ultimately, it's Josephine Langford from the ‘After' movies who does well to shore up this formulaic romance with her sterling presence and unaffected charm.