Although “Lovebirds” reunites director Michael Showalter with his “The Big Sick” star-screenwriter Kumail Nanjiani, this latest indie rom-com seems to have shades of genre cinema more than the deft humane handling of their previous effort.
Showalter choosing the “high-concept” comedy “Lovebirds” as his follow-up feature is a peculiar decision. The film will show a couple trying to clear their names after they are framed for a murder. A far cry from the humanist dramedy of ‘Big Sick.,’ which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay back in 2018.
Nanjiani co-wrote the screenplay, alongside his wife Emily V. Gordon.
Along with Nanjiani, “Lovebirds” also stars Issa Rae (“A Bitter Lime”), Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect”) and Moses Storm (“Arrested Development”). The film was written by Aaron Abrams, Brendan Gall and Martin Gero (“The L.A. Complex”).
Here’s the synopsis:
On the very brink of breaking up, a couple gets unintentionally embroiled in a bizarre (and hilarious) murder mystery. As they get closer to clearing their names and solving the case, they need to figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.
The film will be released in theatres on April 3rd, but will make its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in March.