How do you know if someone is “the one”? Not even “the one”, but how can you, in a split second judgement, tell what kind of person someone really is? For Yas in Raine Allen-Miller’s Rye Lane (2023), she says that everyone falls into one of two categories: those who wave back at waving tourists on boats, and those who don’t. As she meets and spends a day with Dom, an over-thinking friend of a friend, viewers join Yas and Dom on a journey as they explore their separate pasts together, while looking forwards towards the future of their relationships, all while wondering, is Dom the type of guy who will wave back to the people passing by on boats? With a new and refreshing take on the romantic-comedy, Rye Lane offers viewers an escape to South London, filled with humour, gorgeous colours, and an altogether heart-warming story of Black joy and friendship.

The story begins in South London, in a gender-neutral toilet, where our characters Yas, played by Vivian Oparah, and Dom, played by David Jonsson, first meet. Still reeling from his most recent break-up, Dom is a mess, becoming the over-thinking, grand-gesture-loving romantic seeking solace in the bathroom of his friend’s art exhibit. Enter Yas, our positive, eccentric, self-confident co-protagonist, to hear Dom’s sobs and share some words of advice. What follows is a thrilling day, spent with Yas and Dom as they get to know one another as they wander around South London, running into old friends, family, and lovers, growing into friends and possibly more than that along the way.

Rye Lane is the directorial debut from director Raine Allen-Miller. Full of jokes that seem to come from a place of true understanding of the modern world, the film re-invigorates the traditional romantic comedy genre. Following a largely predictable plot, as do most rom-coms, Miller adds her own flare to the film, with unexpected jokes and unconventional narrative devices that continually keep the audience engaged. Placed in South London, with a predominantly black cast, the film is a celebration of Black friendship, and the home that Yas and Dom call South London. The chemistry between Jonsson and Oparah is palpable, present form the moment they meet, transcending the walls of the gender-neutral toilets their story begins in. One can’t help but root for these two, in both friendship, their futures, and their love. Never missing a beat, the jokes seem to fully understand the modern world, and the new generation of teens and 20-somethings who will be enthralled by the film.

Visually, the film is striking. Taking full advantage of its location in South London, the film, with every single shot, emphasizes colour. From Dom’s pink converse and Yas’ purple sneakers and bright pink bag, to bright posters hanging around the city on gorgeously painted walls. The film is not just exciting in its writing and relationships, but in its stunning and electric use of colours, making it not just visually pleasing, but a true embrace of the celebration of South London this film is. With its use of the fish-eye camera, each shot feels claustrophobic, heightening the fast pace at which Yas and Dom seem to find connection with each other, unable to imagine anything but these two at close proximity with each other for the rest of their loves.

This stunning debut from Raine Allen-Miller keeps viewers guessing and intrigued, despite its place in the very predictable genre of romantic comedy. With modern jokes, gorgeous colours, and a strong chemistry between its two leads from the moment the film begins, Rye Lane is an exciting beginning to a new generation of romantic-comedy films, about 20-somethings trying to find meaning and love in a new and modern world. Maybe for modern viewers, Rye Lane will become the new Notting Hill, a confirmation of the goodness of the human spirit, bottled up into a special part of London.

Rye Lane will be available to stream in Canada on Disney+ on March 31.