56. 'Love Hard' Review

On this week’s episode, Chatrice and Luis review “Love Hard” on Netflix starring Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang. Before the main topic our hosts catch up. Since last time, Luis is off work this week and getting errands done for the holidays; meanwhile, Chatrice hosted a Cookies and Cocktails holiday party and saw “The Netcracker”. For the main topic, our hosts review “Love Hard” and discuss several themes of the film including: missed opportunity to make a social commentary on desirablity of Asian men in online dating; reasons for cat fishing; and, takeaways from the movie.

Time Stamps

0:19 - Hello and Welcome Back

0:22 - What have hosts been up to since last time?

9:07 - What are we celebrating this week? Christmas, Kwanzaa

9:31 - What is the strategy to buying gifts? Luis answers: thoughtfullness, giving self plenty of time to buy gifts, give gifts from the heart

14:05 - Shout Out for the Culture: Megan the Stallion graduates from Texas Southern University; from @BlackLove: what is the whitest of whitest songs you go off to? (Instagram Reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXbsG5-so9M/?utm_medium=copy_link); Fast and the Furious series, Luis is rewatching all 9 movies

21:40 - Main Topic: “Love Hard” review on Netflix, modern rom-com

22:10 - SPOILER ALERT 

22:12 - Plot Overview

23:40 - Ingredients of rom-com: a big risk, a grand jesture, lies and mix-up, coordinated plan, and writer with a deadline for a juicy story

24:12 - Overall thoughts on movie

25:00 - Opportnity lost to make a social commentary: Asian men are least desirable on dating apps (*)

25:59 - Josh’s Asian identity is not brought up much on the film (*)

27:46 - Healthy father-son relationship moment between Josh and his dad; healthy masculinity 

30:19 - How far/deep should virtual relationships go?

32:42 - If single during the pandemic, would Luis have expanded the online dating reach?

35:04 - Would it ever be a good idea to surprise your virtual partner/lover because you want to meet them?

36:30 -  Very similar to ‘The Proposal’ with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock

39:29 - Is Josh a bad guy for accidentally catfishing Natalie? (*)

40:35 - A blow to self-esteem when you are not successful in online dating

42:46 - What is the end game for cat fishers?

53:45 - Take aways from the movie

57:48 - Final well wishes for 2021

58:40 - Follow happiness 

1:00:25 - End of the episode