Picture This: A Rom-Com That Feels Like a Déjà Vu You Can’t Resist
Some movies make you feel like you’ve been here before—same love story, same obstacles, same predictable ending. But every now and then, a film manages to repackage the familiar in a way that makes you want to relive it, even if you already know how it ends. Enter Picture This, a rom-com that doesn’t exactly rewrite the genre but gives it a cultural twist that keeps things interesting.
Is This Love… or Just a Fortune Teller’s Trick?
Pia (Simone Ashley) is a fiercely independent London-based photographer who has it all—except for one thing: a man. And that’s just fine by her. But her mother, Laxmi (Sindhu Vee), doesn’t agree. In true South Asian family fashion, the pressure to find “the one” is cranked up to maximum volume, especially as Pia’s younger sister Sonal (Anoushka Chadha) prepares for her wedding.
Just when Pia thinks she has everything under control, a fortune teller drops a bombshell: she will meet her soulmate in the next five dates. What follows is a chaotic rollercoaster of blind dates set up by her meddling family, complete with awkward encounters, questionable suitors, and a ghost from the past—Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), the ex who may or may not still have a claim on her heart.
Predictable Yet Irresistible? The Rom-Com Dilemma
Does Picture This tread new ground? Not really. Will you see the ending coming from a mile away? Absolutely. But does that stop you from enjoying every second? Surprisingly, no.
Simone Ashley brings undeniable charm to Pia, making her a protagonist you can’t help but root for—even when she’s her own worst enemy. Her chemistry with Hero Fiennes Tiffin, however, is a different story. While they share plenty of screen time, their spark feels more like a flicker than a flame, making their inevitable reunion more expected than electrifying.
Where Picture This Truly Shines
What saves Picture This from being just another rom-com on autopilot is its cultural depth. It’s not just about love—it’s about identity, tradition, and the ever-complicated dynamic between personal ambition and family expectations. Pia’s struggle to balance her own dreams with her mother’s vision for her future is a universal battle, and the film treats it with genuine warmth and authenticity.
Visually, the film is a delight. The vibrant wedding scenes pop with color, while Pia’s photography studio serves as a perfect metaphor for her life—carefully curated, but still subject to unexpected surprises.
Final Verdict: To Watch or Not to Watch?
Picture This doesn’t break new ground, but it doesn’t need to. It’s the kind of movie you watch when you need a feel-good escape—when you want to laugh, cringe, and root for love, even if you already know how it ends. If you’re a fan of rom-coms, it’s worth the watch. If you’re looking for a revolutionary take on love stories? Keep searching.
What Do You Think?
Do predictable rom-coms still hold a place in your heart, or are you craving something fresh? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
