It Had to Be You

A film review by Christopher Null - Copyright © 2002 Filmcritic.com

Sweet and inoffensive, It Had to Be You probably didn't deserve to be unceremoniously dumped on the direct-to-DVD market, but here it is.

The cute tale is reminiscent of Sleepless in Seattle and Serendipity, with a star-crossed couple (Natasha Henstridge and Michael Vartan) meeting unfortuitously on the eve of their respective weddings to other people. Well, the eve before that, anyway -- they happen to be registering for gifts at the same time. While everyone around them tries to convince the two that their respective betrotheds are total idiots, they maintain their faithfulness, despite a near-miss-kiss in Central Park.

I needn't tell you how things end up (in fact, Henstridge's S.O. is never even seen on camera), but the film is mildly funny, enough so to earn a qualified recommendation for anyone browsing the Blockbuster aisles in search of a half-decent romantic comedy they haven't seen before.

Unfortunately, though, Vartan and Henstridge neither have much chemistry nor do they really look all that interested in the movie they're in. That's unfortunate, because with a bit more steam and a better sense of comic timing, It Had to Be You might have been a less qualified success.

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Rating

3.0 out of 5 Stars

Cast and Crew

  • Director: Steven Feder
  • Producer: Steven Feder, Neil Kaplan
  • Screenwriter: Steven Feder
  • Stars: Joelle Carter, David Healy, Natasha Henstridge, Michael Rispoli, Michael Vartan, Olivia d'Abo
  • MPAA Rating: PG