THE STORY – Harper and Charlie try to build a life together. While Harper strives to carve out a career as a chef, Charlie is stuck. Facing challenges in their relationship, they struggle to prove they are meant for each other, but will it be enough?
THE CAST – Emilia Jones, Nick Robinson & Toby Wallace
THE TEAM – Tom Dean (Director/Writer) & Mac Eldridge (Director)
THE RUNNING TIME – 102 Minutes
There’s something so sweet and special about falling in love for the first time. You feel safe in the arms of your significant other and believe anything is possible as long as you’re together. But, by contrast, it can feel like the end of the world when that love falls apart. The many ups and downs of one young couple are at the heart of Mac Eldridge and Tom Dean’s emotional and mature romance, “Charlie Harper. Its nonlinear structure, though a little shabby at first, keeps the audience invested in Charlie and Harper’s love story, along with Dean’s honest and grounded screenplay. Anchored by moving performances from Emilia Jones and Nick Robinson, you’ll find yourself falling in love with all that “Charlie Harper” has in store.
As the film is told in a nonlinear structure, we see different stages of Charlie (Robinson) and Harper’s (Jones) relationship at random points. Their story begins at its end, as they’re reflecting on what went right and wrong, with cinematographer Sharone Meir capturing them in the glow of red and blue lights. It then shifts to the multiple times they’ve met (in high school, at a party, and at a wedding). It takes a beat to understand which point in the timeline we’re in at any given moment, but the bulk of the film is set in New Orleans. Harper has dreams of being a chef and opening a restaurant, while Charlie, a fan of poetry, is aimless and settles for a job at a T-shirt printing business.
Being young and in love makes them feel like there are no consequences, but these two lovebirds quickly feel the weight of reality on them. After Harper manages to get a job in a kitchen, she encourages both of them to get more serious about their lives and futures. Charlie agrees, but instead of getting started today, he’ll do it tomorrow, or the next day, or at some point. That includes cutting back on drinking, going to the DMV to get an ID, and considering applying to school. With each passing day, the blush of their once-rosy romance fades.
The most effective romance films are the ones that root their stories in reality, and that’s exactly what Dean does with his screenplay. The way this love story begins – with two high schoolers making CDs for each other – brings back all the memories of having your crush notice you and flirting with them. As they reconnect years later and their feelings start to develop, it’s easy to get swept up in their gentle nature with each other. But Dean’s screenplay really shines when he dives into their downfall. Charlie’s alcoholism isn’t written in a cliched manner – we’re not seeing him belligerently drunk every time he’s on screen. Instead, his reliance on drinking becomes apparent by secretly drinking at work or ordering the largest bottle of Sapporo available at dinner.
Similarly, the way Dean approaches Charlie’s mental health struggles is also done delicately: Charlie doesn’t take care of himself, he stays home while others are out celebrating, and he feels stuck in life. As he blends Charlie and Harper’s approaches to life – his retreat to darkness and her desire to move forward – he manages to build up very realistic tension between them, especially as she pushes Charlie to do more out of life, all while he shuts down. Even their fights feel as though you’ve stumbled upon a real couple. While we don’t see too much of their lives outside of their relationship – scenes with friends are limited, and there are few mentions of their families – at least their bond is believable.
Similarly, Jones and Robinson do divine work with their roles, akin to Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones’ soulful performances in “Normal People.” Jones portrays so many sides of Harper throughout the film, from a confident high schooler to a mature aspiring chef, which shows her capabilities as an actress. But it’s most devastating to see the sparkle in her eyes vanish as their relationship reaches a plateau, especially the hurt and love that she carries. Robinson, similarly, handles a very complex man who is struggling in life, and he treats Charlie’s pain with such care. A big fight scene is a crowning achievement for both actors, as Jones captures Harper’s disappointment with such vitriol, while Robinson shows Charlie’s frustrations toward Harper and himself. Just when you think they can’t impress anymore, these two will manage to make you cry by the end of the film as we see how life’s many changes and challenges have impacted both characters.
“Charlie Harper” is an impressive directorial debut from Eldridge and Dean that fully captures the beauty and pain of love. Though its nonlinear structure can be occasionally confusing, it offers a compelling way to explore the different stages of this couple’s relationship, keeping viewers engaged as the narrative threads gradually come together. But Jones and Robinson’s authentic onscreen presence really makes Dean’s screenplay sing. It’s always exciting to see new voices in the filmmaking sphere, and Eldridge and Dean have already shown they’re ones to watch in the future.
