Three Ways "Set It Up" Succeeds

By Spencer Coile 

Considering Netflix’s constant stream of original content, it's a smaill miracle that their latest original film, Set It Up, is receiving some attention. Set It Up tells the cookie-cutter story of two overworked PA’s (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) who decide to set up their overbearing bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) only to find love themselves. It follows the familiar beats of your favorite romcoms. It's glossy, quirky, and wrapped up with a cute little bow when the credits roll. 

Set It Up is everything we have come to expect from the genre but which the genre hasn't been delivering of late. Director Claire Scanlon (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, GLOW, Brooklyn Nine-Nine)and writer Katie Silberman bring sensitivity to a story that feels slight, but is rewarding enough. In many ways, the film is a refreshing run-of-the-mill romcom.

Here are three reasons why Set It Up really works...

01. Compelling lead characters 
Both notable scene-stealers in Everybody Wants Some!!! Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell bring grounded energy to the frothy plot. Powell possesses a boyish (if somewhat douchey) charm as Charlie that makes him surprisingly easy to love. Deutch as Harper is bubbly and delightful to watch. Fortunately, at least one of them is on screen for the duration of the film. When they're together they're even better. Here, we have a romcom where the romance between the two leads does not feel half-baked. Their chemistry is utterly charming and breezy.

02. Supporting characters that actually support the story 
There might be something to unpack from  our two protagonists being white and the secondary characters being people of color, but there is no denying that Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu tear into these unlikeable, monstrous bosses in ways that make them as compelling as they are villainous. 

Diggs plays Rick, Powell’s ego-maniac of a boss and Liu plays Kirsten, the workaholic editor of an up-and-coming sports magazine, this films Miranda Priestley. Both of them chew the scenery when handed characters worthy of their talents. While Diggs doesn't have material as good as Liu, both imbue their characters with enough dimensions that they are as rewarding to the story as the leading couple.

03. Leaning into the genre 
The beats of a romantic comedy are excessively familiar. We know the obstacles the characters will overcome; the conflict they will experience. By the end, they will be enlightened and in love, and we as the audience, are left with some message about relationships. We’ve seen it before and we will continue to see it. 

Set It Up is enjoyable because it doesn't pretend to subvert any of these expectations (as some romcoms do*, usually before succumbing to them). It feels effortless and comfortable as a result. Scanlon and Silberman acknowledge they aren't trying to reinvent the wheel, but to roll out a simple enjoyable story for a cozy night.

*To be clear, there are plenty of romantic comedies that have reworked the formula with excellent results. There is nothing wrong with experimenting and flipping  a script. But as Set It Up demonstrates, there are times to embrace formulas that work. 

Comments

[Mark]

Yes, it’s predictable.

AND YET, it’s completely charming!

Love a rom-com done right.

[Rebecca]

Also, Tituss Burgess as 'Creepy Tim' is hilarious. This is basically the perfect lazy Saturday afternoon movie, but you don't have to feel even a little bit shitty for enjoying it.

Interesting that you think Powell is boyish yet douchey, I think of him (at least in this role) as frat-boy looking on the outside but dorky on the inside.

[Glenn Dunks]

Eh, this was fine. Fell right in line with the Ryan Reynolds era of romcoms rather than shining like the Ephron/Ryan films or those of Julia Roberts.