Words by Kasey Blondell
Rye Lane offers up something a bit more special than the average rom-com, centring two Black Brits in a humorous Peckham-based love story.
Rom-coms are back and, this time, they’re British. Set in Peckham, Rye Lane is a romantic-comedy brimming with culture and individuality. Everything about the film feels quintessentially South London – from its setting and diverse cast of characters, to its humour.
When Yas (Vivian Oparah) finds Dom (David Jonsson) crying in gender-neutral toilets at a mutual friend’s laughably niche art exhibition, you already know the movie’s gonna bang. What makes Rye Lane so special is its freshness; a new take on a genre of film everyone’s seen a thousand times before. When else have we seen Black-British love on-screen against the same humorous, modern backdrop?
David Jonnson (who may be recognisable to fans of Industry) plays Dom with an endearing dorkiness that matches Yas’ upbeat determination perfectly. Vivian Oparah (recognisable from her performance in BBC’s Class) delivers a sparkling performance as a charming and spontaneous struggling costume designer.
Not only are the characters personable and the setting relatable, there’s also a distinct joyfulness in the aesthetic of the movie: bright bold colours, close-up shots, and eccentrically eye-catching costume designs. Once you finish watching Rye Lane, Dom’s pink Converse and Yas’ yellow jacket are sure to stay with you.
There is an ever-present fisheye lens which director Raine Allen-Miller has said was inspired by British sit-com Peep Show, although it’s used to different effect, more to emphasise the romantic spark between the characters and show off the setting rather than to make the audience laugh uncomfortably. It’s the sort of film that leaves a mark precisely because of its visual intrigue, with a remarkably cohesive style for Miller’s directorial debut.
We follow the protagonists down winding streets as they embark on the most ridiculous of side-quests, allowing us to witness the characters forming a bond through an array of well-loved rom-com tropes. The first encounter in a bathroom, the fake dating scene in the restaurant, and the second act “break-up” are all tropes we’ve seen before, but done through a fresher, more exciting lens. The film is a masterclass in playing with the tropes that make a genre great whilst also being original enough to stand out from the crowd.
The chemistry between the characters is also satisfying to watch. When the second act argument begins, you naturally want the characters to kiss and make up as fast as possible: a classic rom-com effect. In a world of so many bleak stories about ethnic minorities, it’s refreshing to see a movie about Black people full of happiness and colour. The film has an optimistic tone despite the characters’ respective struggles, and it is really sweet and refreshing.
Londoners couldn’t be more delighted with a film than this. And even if you’ve never stepped foot in Rye Lane, Raine Allen-Miller’s directorial debut is an adorable and refreshing love story worth watching.
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