‘The Other Zoey’: Cast & Crew
Director: Sara Zandieh
Cast: Josephine Langford, Drew Starkey, Archie Renaux, Mallori Johnson, Andie MacDowell, Patrick Fabian, Heather Graham, Olive Abercrombie, Amalia Yoo, Maggie Thurmon, Jorge López, Gabriella Saraivah, Christie Lynn Smith
Available On: Amazon Prime Video
Duration: 1 Hour 32 Minutes
‘The Other Zoey’: Story
Zoey Miller (Josephine Langford), a super smart computer nerd who is uninterested in romantic love, has her life turned upside down when Zack (Drew Starkey), the school's soccer star, gets amnesia and mistakes Zoey for his girlfriend Zoey Wallace (Maggie Thurmon). Simultaneously, Zoey Miller also starts falling for Zack’s cousin (Archie Renaux). Will Zoey Miller finally be able to tell the truth to everyone? Will Zoey Wallace be able to win back what’s rightfully hers? Will the two Zoeys ever be able to come face to face and sort things out? Which guy will eventually end up with Zoey Miller? Well, for all that, you’ll have to watch ‘The Other Zoey’.
‘The Other Zoey’: Performances
Josephine Langford carries the entire weight of the film on her shoulders. She does give a strong performance, especially when it comes to making the character feel like the girl next door. However, that’s the upper end of her performance as we don’t see her emoting in any other way and that just makes her act a bit too monotonous.
Drew Starkey has his moments throughout the film. However, he doesn’t have enough screen time. His sarcasm is spot on and he does have the charming factor which will draw you towards the character. But what’s concerning is that he is pretty much amiss for almost 70% of the film.
Archie Renaux has been given a raw deal. In the first half, he comes on as a strong third angle to the love triangle in the movie, but suddenly, he just goes into the background or much rather vanishes into oblivion. Had his character’s importance stayed alive till the climax, it would have made the story a lot more interesting as it would have kept the audience guessing. Sadly, that didn’t happen, and his performance just remained half-baked.
Mallori Johnson and Olive Abercrombie as the best friend and the young sister respectively are top-notches. They may have small scenes, but the way they’ve presented themselves in those scenes makes you question why didn’t they have more role in the screenplay.
The rest of the supporting cast didn’t have too much to do. Big names like Heather Graham, Andie MacDowell and Patrick Fabian have been given just blink-and-miss characters. It seems they just came on board as a favour to someone from amongst the makers of the film to do an extended cameo.
‘The Other Zoey’: Script, Direction & Technical Aspects
Matt Tabak’s writing is very predictable. You’re led to believe that the story is going to be a love triangle with all the 3 characters equally involved in the screenplay. However, after the initial half hour or so, it turns out to be just another regular rom-com. Had the plot been kept intriguing till the very end, possible this would have been one of those very few romcoms that decide to take the route less travelled.
Sara Zandieh’s direction is good. She manages to make you feel in a mushy feel-good world of your own. She ensures that when watching ‘The Other Zoey’ you always keep imagining yourself in the shoes of the lead character. Getting that emotion out of the audience is a big task when your story is so predictable already. Sara Zandieh’s direction at least makes this watchable till the very end.
If there was one thing that was good about ‘The Other Zoey’, it is Eve Cohen’s cinematography. The way the film has been shot, it manages to give you a warm big bear hug, which is primarily the bottom line for every mushy romcom. The locales that Eve Cohen selected were so beautiful and exotic that they make you want to leave everything and head over there right now. The usage of overhead drone shots makes your viewing pleasure even better.
The editing by Maysie Hoy is decent. Hoy has managed to keep the story short and not drag it too much. Wrapping things up in just about an hour and a half was a masterstroke.
The music by John Swihart doesn’t have too much to do. The background score is too simple to transport you as a viewer to the story.
‘The Other Zoey’: Can Kids Watch It?
Yes
Outlook’s Verdict
‘The Other Zoey’ promises a lot in its trailer but sadly doesn’t deliver that. It has the potential to become a romcom that was quite hatke, but eventually ends up being just another mushy feel-good film. Sometimes even an average screenplay can be uplifted by some great performances. Sadly, that didn’t happen in ‘The Other Zoey’. Besides the cinematography and the obvious feel-good factor, there’s nothing else in this film. Overall, it’s just a Below Average Watch. I am going with 2 stars.
