In 40 Dates And 40 Nights, Bailee Madison and Joel Courtney make you optimistic about finding the one in a sea of losers on dating apps. This charming new rom-com gives you hope and it’s definitely worth watching.
Twentysomething Leah (Bailee Madison) is exhausted after too many disappointments from her parents and exes. Her grandmother Gigi (Annie Potts) challenges her to go on 40 dates and if she still can’t find love, then Gigi will pay her rent for a year.
Cue the montage of weird guys obsessed with cats and potatoes. Leah texts Gigi to say one date was “as fun as a clogged toilet.” Nevertheless, she persists with support from a friendly waiter (Jai Rodriguez).
On date #20, Leah sits down with Mason (Joel Courtney). They initially met on an embarrassing drugstore run when Leah needed to get the morning after pill, which was hardly a meet cute. The date doesn’t go smoothly but they instantly connect. Joel Courtney has more chemistry with Bailee Madison in 40 Dates And 40 Nights than Joey King in The Kissing Booth.
Leah navigates her twenties with her best friend and co-worker Bianca (Luxy Banner) who helps Leah grow professionally, physically and emotionally. Bianca invites Leah to do aerial silk climbing, which becomes a fun challenge. She also encourages Leah to tap into her design skills. Leah can do so much more than admin work!
It’s really nice to see how Bianca is close with Leah’s grandmother too. Bianca spends an evening with Gigi to give Leah and Mason alone time together. That’s a rare dynamic!
I love seeing my doppelganger Bailee Madison all grown up. When Leah wears a black top and red pants to celebrate good news at work, you’d think I styled her myself.
40 Dates And 40 Nights is a wholesome, funny and romantic movie. Gigi’s challenge helps Leah more than any book in the self-help section could, although that bookstore scene is very well-written. I love how Mason helps Leah rethink her high school nemesis.
Every good rom-com needs a cute ending. Similar to Poppy (Emily Bader) in People We Meet On Vacation, Leah runs across town, despite claiming to be unathletic. Mason is the kind of guy worth running after and their relationship is one worth chasing in real life.
40 Dates And 40 Nights arrives on VOD June 30.
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Disclosure: I received a screener copy of 40 Dates And 40 Nights to share a review. Thanks, Vortex Media! Watch the trailer: