Something from Tiffany’s Movie Review: A no-frills romance

Is the aim of a romance film to reinforce the power of love? Or is it to remind us that love can occur at unexpected times? Or is it to showcase the trials individuals go through before they find someone ‘right’ for them? The typical Hollywood romance film likely covers these objectives in a template story that offers not too many surprises. Prime Video’s latest film, Something from Tiffany’s, is pretty much that film. There are no remarkable stretches or ideas, but it still serves as a positive reinforcement that cliches exist for a reason…

Director: Daryl Wein

Cast: Kendrick Simpson, Zoey Deutch, Shay Mitchell, Leah Jeffries 

Streaming on: Prime Video

Something from Tiffany’s, as you can imagine, pays homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), and begins by showing us the store in which Ethan and his daughter Daisy are picking a ring for his partner Vanessa (Shay Mitchell). Meanwhile, Gary (Ray Nicholson) is planning to buy a simple pair of earrings for his partner Rachel (Zoey Deutch). A freak accident occurs, and the bags get exchanged; instead of a comedy of errors, we get a romance of errors. From the time Ethan sets eyes on Rachel, we know where the film is headed. The events are predictable, and while both of them are in a dynamic relationship with other people, deep down, we know what’s going to happen. 

Zoey loves baking, while Ethan hopes to pursue his passion for writing. While Gary is painted as an indecisive yet manipulative manchild, it is refreshing to see Vanessa (Shay Mitchell), Ethan’s partner, possessing a lot of clarity. While, of course, we know what ensues between Ethan and Vanessa, it’s still a unique choice for the latter to decide she deserves better. It doesn’t mean Ethan is bad… just that he isn’t quite right for her—and this film does an admirable job of not vilifying anyone. It also helps that the actors are earnest.

Nevertheless, there are no surprises, and the film saunters to a predictable and simple end. Writer Tamara Chestna and director Daryl Wein don’t really seem to be aspiring for novelty with this film. And yet, it’s important to remember that films like Something from Tiffany’s exist to give us a leisurely, uncomplicated afternoon. The film doesn’t leave us a slobbering mess but doesn’t leave us indifferent either. It snuggles into a sweet spot somewhere in between to make us happier than we were before it—and that sometimes is good enough.