'The Love Hypothesis' Fails the Rom-Com Chemistry Test (with Linda Holmes) cover art

'The Love Hypothesis' Fails the Rom-Com Chemistry Test (with Linda Holmes)

'The Love Hypothesis' Fails the Rom-Com Chemistry Test (with Linda Holmes)

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This week, NPR pop culture correspondent Linda Holmes joins Sophie and Rudi to discuss “The Love Hypothesis,” Prime Video’s new streaming adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s 2021 novel of the same name. The fake dating romantic comedy stars Lili Reinhart ("Riverdale") as PhD student Olive Smith and Tom Bateman as professor Dr. Adam Carlsen. Rachel Marsh and Jaboukie Young-White also star in the film, which was directed by Claire Scanlon (“Set It Up”) and adapted by screenwriter Sarah Rothschild. Before they discuss the book and film, they talk about rom-com adaptations and tropes with Linda, who co-hosts “Pop Culture Happy Hour” and has written three novels, including the rom-com “Back After This.” (00:02:39) Then, Sophie explores the origins of “The Love Hypothesis,” a BookTok hit that began in a galaxy far, far away as “Head Over Feet,” “Star Wars” fan fiction that shipped Rey (who was portrayed by Bateman’s wife, Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver). (00:07:30)After discussing more rom-com tropes and setting up the story’s fake dating premise (00:10:00), Rudi details the film version and they give some general thoughts on the movie. (00:15:06)Throughout their discussion, Sophie shares the many differences from the book (00:22:45), what’s missing from the Adam character (00:26:40) and how the filmmakers approached adapting the book’s infamous Chapter 16 (00:38:00). Linda shares what she thought worked and didn’t work about the film in the context of other rom-coms; while Rudi and Sophie talk about their issues with the film’s tonal whiplash and the lack of chemistry between the two leads. They briefly discuss Amazon and Prime Video’s strategy of leaning into romance adaptations like “Off Campus” (and non-adapations like “Sterling Point”) (01:10:12) before they debate whether these stories work better as series instead of films (01:12:12)Linda then talks about how she’d like to see her own books get adapted, specifically her 2019 novel “Evvie Drake Starts Over,” which has been optioned for a potential adaptation. (01:16:56)Before wrapping up, Sophie reveals her Sophie’s Choice pick for which she liked better: Reading Hazelwood’s book or watching the Prime Video movie. (01:22:40) Finally, Linda offers her pick for a book she’d like to see get adapted for the screen: the 2004 Jennifer Crusie romance novel “Bet Me.” (01:23:56) Next week, we’re sticking to the romance genre but adding a psychological thriller element for “Verity,” Amazon MGM’s theatrical film adaptation of the 2018 Colleen Hoover book starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett.It Was A Book First is the podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations. Subscribe now to get new episodes delivered weekly on Wednesdays.Follow us on Instagram: @itwasabookfirstpodTikTok: @itwasabookfirstYouTube: @itwasabookfirstpodcastEmail: itwasabookfirst@gmail.comHosts and producers: Sophie Vershbow and Rudi GreenbergGuest: Linda HolmesEditing: Rudi GreenbergSocial media: Sophie VershbowMusic: Cliff Blum and John Connelly; music production: Kevin PonsLogo: Trisha Louise PrietoWebsite: Kevin Pfab
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