The film adaptation of Emily Henry's 2021 novel, "People We Meet on Vacation," premiered on Netflix in early January. Produced as part of a deal between Netflix and Sony, the romantic comedy stars Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex, following their relationship dynamic over a nine-year period.
Film Overview
Directed by Brett Haley, the movie is based on Emily Henry's best-selling novel. Haley's previous directorial credits include "Hearts Beat Loud" (2018), "All the Bright Places," and "All Together Now." The script for "People We Meet on Vacation" was developed by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo.
Plot and Narrative Structure
The story focuses on a friends-into-lovers dynamic between Poppy and Alex, who first meet as college students. After a post-college road trip, they establish an agreement to take an annual summer vacation together, regardless of their individual life circumstances.
Their initial differing aspirations play a role in their dynamic; Poppy, who becomes a New York-based travel writer, desired to leave their hometown of Linfield, Ohio, while Alex, an Ohio-based academic, was content to remain.
The film employs a non-linear narrative structure, alternating between their past summer trips and their present-day situation. These past sequences, spanning various locations such as New Orleans and Tuscany, depict their developing connection alongside other romantic interests. In the present, the narrative finds them in their early thirties, reuniting for a destination wedding in Barcelona after a two-year period during which they had no communication.
Characters and Performances
Emily Bader portrays Poppy, characterized as a clumsy, messy, late, and risk-taking individual. Tom Blyth plays Alex, who is depicted as a more reserved and rule-following character. Supporting roles include Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck, who play Poppy's parents. The film has drawn comparisons to "When Harry Met Sally," particularly in its temporal scope and initial meeting scenario, as well as its gender-flipped character dynamics.
Visual Style and Tone
The film's visual aesthetic is characterized by a bright, yellow-filtered appearance. The overall tone is described as light, with romance featuring more prominently than humor. Scenes depicted in the film include the characters engaging in karaoke, pretending to be a married couple, and skinny-dipping.