The Originals: Rye Lane
A unique take on a one-day romcom in South London.
This is the first in my series The Originals (click to read an introduction/origin story, if you’re into that) in which I review and recommend films that are not remakes, sequels, franchises, adaptations, or in any way based on existing works. Indeed rare to find in Hollywood these days but, thankfully, the rest of the world also makes films.
Let's jump right in and meet our two main characters in an art gallery public washroom in which one is crying over his ex’s Instagram stories and one is just using the toilet. It turns out Dom and Yas have friends in common that bring them to this art show and after chatting in the gallery, they leave at the same time, headed in the same direction. And so we can begin one of my favourite romance film set-ups; the walk-n-talk.
The walk-n-talk classic example is Before Sunrise; two strangers spend a day or night together walking around a city, getting to know each other, having existential conversations, and falling in love. (My favourite is Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong.) Rye Lane’s walk is around the South London neighbours of Peckham and Brixton and its talk is about Dom and Yas’s exes and the details of their recent breakups. Those familiar with those neighbourhoods will probably find extra delight in the scenes as they recognize street corners and shops, though there are delights all around for everyone to find (pay attention to background actors) and everyone will delight in seeing who’s serving them burritos at the Love Guac’tually food truck.
You may think that the film is going to break into a musical at any given time. It has that quality of excitement and excited characters that are bursting with feelings. But they don’t sing (except at karaoke) and our part-surreal-part-magical-realism vibe comes in the form of their storytelling. As each of the pair recount events of their break-ups and key relationship moments, we dive into their phones or see them perform the scene on a stage, wherein the other gets to sit right in the scene and commentate or applaud from the audience. This form of flashback brings these memories to life, the way one would when recounting an emotional experience for a friend. You’re right back in it, you’re making exaggerations, and you’re describing not just literally what happened but injecting it with your internal thoughts and feelings. While Dom’s memories exaggerate his sorrow at his girlfriend’s betrayal, when Yas finally tells her story, it’s a performance. While Dom is vulnerable in sharing how he’s been hurt, Yas holds off on her story and when she finally tells him, she is the hero, complete with a killer final line. As you get to know the characters only as much as they get to know each other, you wonder how honest they’re both being.
It’s not just in the flashbacks where the filmmaking feels off-center or out-of-place. Hijinks ensue as Yas cuts into Dom’s meet-up with his ex and her new man and then Dom helps Yas get back her favourite album from her ex’s place. Super wide angle lenses are used, uncomfortable close-ups, one-shots where the character is very off-centre, and pans all create a unique look that highlights the intimacy these characters are sharing as well as that weird surreal feeling you get when you realize you’ve spent all day with this person you just met and done some out of character things. It’s an infatuation trip. Not that the movie feels like a gooey romance, like you’re watching two people fall in love. It mostly feels platonic, like you’re watching two people become good friends. Which you are. But also, don’t worry, it is ultimately a rom-com and there is a very sweet happy ending.
I really enjoyed this trip around South London and the twists and turns these characters make. It’s a not-too-romantic romance and a not-too-silly comedy.
Bottom Line: A unique take on a one-day romcom in South London.
Rated F for: Fibbing
Stream It: Disney+ in Canada, Hulu in the US
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