We haven’t been getting the best of weather so far this spring, but one thing that’s sure to put some sunshine into your life is the new rom-com Love Again – at Cineworld cinemas from Wednesday (10th May). Directed by James C. Strouse (The Winning Season; The Incredible Jessica James), this endearing, British-American yarn stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mira Ray, a grieving widow who decides to send some romantic text messages to her late fiancé’s mobile phone, not realising that the number has since been reassigned to handsome journalist Rob Burns (Sam Heughan). Naturally, the messages arouse Sam’s curiosity, and when he’s commissioned to write a story on the legendary singer Celine Dion (here making her big-screen debut), he recruits the Canadian star to help him find the person who sent them…
Though we’re obviously not going to give away the whole plot, there are a few things we think you should know about this film, from who wrote it to the classic movie it was inspired by. If you love a good romantic comedy and want to know why Love Again is a must-see for movie fans, step this way…
1. It was inspired by Sleepless in Seattle
Love Again is a remake of the 2016 German film SMS für Dich [Text for You], which itself was based on a 2009 novel by author Sofie Cramer. For the 2023 version, director James C. Strouse wrote a brand-new screenplay, and he’s since revealed that one of his main inspirations was Nora Ephron’s classic 1993 tear-jerker Sleepless in Seattle. “That’s obviously an iconic rom-com we all know and love,” he told Box Office Pro. “It was one that I watched a lot, thought about a lot, and studied. Just because there was a very direct parallel in the story. We’re watching two people separately, on parallel tracks. It’s about making the audience wait until they actually get together.”
2. The leading lady has an amazing CV
Priyanka Chopra Jonas may not be widely known in this country, but she’s an absolute mega-star in her native country of India. After springing to fame as the winner of the 2000 Miss World beauty pageant, she starred in a number of Bollywood films, scooping several prestigious awards along the way. In 2015, she made her US TV debut in the ABC thriller series Quantico, and since then she’s appeared in movies such as Baywatch, The White Tiger and The Matrix Resurrections. Currently the most followed Indian actor on Instagram, Priyanka has also been named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world – not bad considering she’s only 40 years old.
3. The film features five new Celine Dion songs
Celine Dion fans are in for a real treat when they watch this film, as not only does the music legend make an appearance, she can also be heard singing on the soundtrack. While six of the songs were taken from her esteemed back catalogue (including ‘It’s All Coming Back to Me Now’ and ‘All by Myself’), Celine recorded five new ones especially for the film. The title track, ‘Love Again’, was penned by Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson, whose previous movie soundtrack gigs include The Fault in Our Stars and Safe Haven. Along with the Celine Dion tracks, Love Again features three songs written and performed by Keegan DeWitt.
4. The rest of the cast didn’t actually film with Celine Dion
As previously mentioned, Celine Dion makes her big-screen debut in Love Again – and very impressive she is, too. Amazingly, though, the Canadian singer didn’t shoot her scenes in real-time with her co-stars – or even in the same country. As filming took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, the crew had to rely on sound stages and green screens to create the illusion that the cast were in the scenes together. Sam Heughan told EW: “We were in our own bubble in the UK, and Celine was in Canada. It was difficult, but I think they did some great magic in the movie, and I think those scenes really worked out. We got extras and people to read [Celine’s] lines. And honestly, Celine is such a professional herself, that’s [why] it really worked out.”
5. Sam Heughan once auditioned to play James Bond
The actor who plays Rob, Sam Heughan, is probably best known for his starring role in Outlander. But he also came fairly close to landing the role of suave superspy James Bond. Sam auditioned to play 007 in the 2006 film Casino Royale, before Daniel Craig was given the part. “It was quite an experience,” the Scottish star told EW. “It was a stage in my life where I probably wasn’t ready for it, but I wonder what would’ve happened if I had got it.” Of course, now that Craig has handed in his licence to kill, the Bond producers are looking for someone new to fill his boots – and Sam hasn’t given up on the idea. “I feel the right age for it [and] I feel capable enough to do it,” he told Alex Zane’s podcast Just the Facts. “I’d love the opportunity to throw my hat in the ring. Definitely.”
6. Love Again is a great way to while away a couple of hours at Cineworld
There are some thrilling movie blockbusters showing at Cineworld cinemas at the moment, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves. But if you fancy something a little gentler, then Love Again is just the ticket. With romance, laughs and, of course, a whole bunch of new songs from Celine Dion, this cute comedy is a real treat for movie fans.
Love Again is at Cineworld cinemas from Wednesday. If you do go and see the film, we’d love to know what you think of it. Send us a tweet @cineworld.
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