‘RYE LANE’ Is A Black, English, Gen-Z ‘Before’ Movie

Dom (David Jonsson, Industry) and Yas (Vivian Oparah) both just got out of serious relationships. Outside their mutual friend’s avant garde art show, a provocative display of close-up photographs of extremely wet mouths, Dom is weeping in a toilet stall. Yas overhears his anguish and later saddles up to chat him up about art, relationships, and life. They vibe and embark on an unexpected day of big city adventures and new flames.

As the pair wander through karaoke bars, playgrounds, and the streets of Rye Lane, they begin to realize that they may have found a connection in each other. He’s still wounded by “the breakup” – his ex having cheated on him with his best friend – and she’s still nursing her own relationship wounds. Their electrifying conversation incites them to carpe the diem, and they whirl throughout the city, going from coffee to a double date, sharing drinks to hip-hop karaoke. Their philosophies on life and love intersect and refract as they wander Rye Lane, both left to wonder if romance may be starting anew. 

Rye Lane, director Raine Allen-Miller’s propulsive debut feature, is a quirky and energetic romantic comedy that celebrates the joy of meeting the right person at the wrong time.  A black love story that eminates pure joy, Allen-Miller’s film is propelled by the natural chemistry between its strong leads. Oparah’s portrayal of Yas is particularly noteworthy, as she embodies a character who is part hopeful optimist, freewheeling secret-keeper, and pure chaos agent. Her performance is electric and has breakout star potential. Jonsson also delivers a strong performance, offering a sweet combination of reserved “host of relationship past” foreboding stymied by hopeless romanticism.

The script, written by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of relationships and the search for young love in an era of acceptance. From the namesake of the movie on down, Rye Lane is an irresistible tribute to the city of London and the neighborhood of Peckham, a neighborhood in South London. 

The film is shot with an abundance of color and style by cinematographer Olan Collardy, but the overuse of a fish-eye lens can be visually dizzying. Despite this, the film is a stylized Tik-Tok-era feast for the senses that evokes Richard Linklater’s ‘Before’ series, though even lighter in tone, making Allen-Miller’s creation a pleasant but inessential watch.
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CONCLUSION:Rye Lane is a playful romantic comedy that celebrates the ups and downs of starting and ending relationships. Jonsson and Oparah’s natural chemistry and performances are the highlight of the film.

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