After meeting on the dating app and having a one-night stand, two New York millennials draw up a “Best Friends With Benefits” contract to avoid the pitfalls of a relationship. Whether this relationship is built well enough to withstand the benefits remains to be seen, in this quirky rom-com that fails to hit any high notes.
Both Jaboukie and Francesca for me could win ‘best chemistry’ if that were a Tribeca award. Easily the most entertaining couple to watch and their back and forth chemistry had so much energy. I have only known Jaboukie from his appearances on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, I was really surprised with how well he translated his comedic style to a romantic comedy. Francesca Reale needs to be in more films. This was my first time watching her and thought she was great.
The story of a couple deciding to try an “open relationship” is honestly a boring trope in 2021. Rebrand it any way you want to, but the themes and ideas have ultimately been explored further than what ‘Dating & New York’ pushes its story to, and because of that you need to rely heavily on the comedy and chemistry of the couple to get you through the film. The chemistry is there, but the comedy is spotty.
Overall ‘Dating & New York’ is a little forgettable. When you watch it, the lead’s chemistry and the bright tone will help you digest the overall bland story enough, but you’ll forget most of what you see after a few days.
Tribeca At Home
For the first time ever, Tribeca Film Festival is hosting #TribecaAtHome where you can experience the festival from the comfort of your couch!
With a robust lineup of exciting new films, shorts, and documentaries planned, #TribecaAtHome will also include an immersive showcase of 14 VR selections, various podcasts, and game programming.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets
