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07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
"Picture This" Is Proof That Simone Ashley Needs To Be In More Rom-Coms ASAP
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Picture This. This is our official plea to the studios to cast Simone Ashley in more romantic comedy movies. Or But if you've been yearning for another glimpse of her in your 55th rewatch of Bridgerton, pause the show and catch her in new rom-com, Picture This, alongside Hero Fiennes Tiffin — who you might recognise from the After franchise. The film follows a photographer Pia (played by Simone) in the midst of fixing her failing small business. At the same time, she needs to play maid-of-honour for her younger sister's wedding, alongside her ex (!!!!) Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) — who coincidentally, is the best man. To add to her struggles, her family desperately wants her to get married, so on the prediction of a pre-nuptial fortune teller, they each set her up with a date. The movie may be a remake of Australian film, Five Blind Dates but Ashley and Tiffin breathe new tension, banter and British accents into a familiar story. But that begs the question: is it worth watching? To help you decide, I've requested reviews from 👀✨THE WATCHERS✨👀 AKA a team of movie viewers, each with different tastes in genre, style and comedy. Now, the council has given their verdicts! On today's rotation we have: ⭐️ Mark Mariano: The Cheesy Rom-Com Expert ⭐️ Bernice Corral: Just Here For The Vibes, But I'm A Film Major ⭐️ Kailah Haddad: Give Me A Pash Or A Slash — I'm Sat ⭐️ Hameda Nafiz: A Plot Hole's Worst Nightmare Here's what they each had to say about Picture This: I haven't watched Five Blind Dates, the original (and Aussie!!!) rom-com this film was based on, but I knew Picture This was going to be a fun watch from the get-go. The opening sequence gave Bend It Like Beckham in the best way possible, and it was like a big, warm hug. Simone is a romantic lead you can't help but love. I saw her incredible onscreen versatility in Bridgerton and Sex Education, but we have her front and centre in Picture This, and I refuse to have it any other way. As an almost-30-year-old child, I saw a lot of myself in Pia (even more than the literal gay BFF) — particularly in the never-ending comments and pressure from society to be/do something grand. But while I'm normally anti-meddling, I kinda sorta want my friends to step in and bring me a hunk. Let's bring back blind dates, even the awkward ones! My favourite from the film was Akshay — I love a sexy nerd! Just sans the 🚨 spoilers 🚨 mum-crush. Despite the inevitable and eventual connection between Pia and Charlie, my hot take? Romantic love is great, but not a requirement for happiness. Pia's life (and apartment!) in the beginning, while unconventional and with its own challenges, is still pretty fab. I do love, though, that Charlie knew different versions of Pia, and I pray for a love that loves me as I am (thank you Colin Firth), as I was and in what I become. My only critique, if any: Simone's natural grace leaves Pia's 'clumsy' physicality a little out of place. Otherwise, I can't get enough. BRB, adding Five Blind Dates to my Watch List. — Mark Mariano Before I get into it, let it be known that I would kiss the ground Simone Ashley walks on. Now look, I love a not-so-great-but-enjoyable-and-definitely-a-hate-watch-rom-com as much as the next person (see: The Idea of You, He's All That, The Kissing Booth) but, unfortunately this film missed for me. It leant more towards being not so great NOR enjoyable, BUT definitely was a hate-watch! I'll admit, I knew what I was getting myself into, and should've known better that this wasn't going to be the masterpiece I wanted it to be. BUT it was a reminder that sometimes films are just meant to be consumed, and not move you, or make you go 'I'll watch that again!'. While it was unfortunate as a whole, it was so exciting seeing a brown woman as the protagonist that's not painted in a negative-light or stereotyped, something the rom-com genre and industry in general could use a bit more of, TBH. Normally I don't mind a bad hate-watch, but I really couldn't get past the pacing and cringe-worthy dialogue. Also, there's no plot development until the third act? I saw I had TWENTY MINUTES LEFT and was like, 'The lead who got away — and who's name I've forgotten — that we all know is going to sweep her off her feet, hasn't even HINTED that he wants to get back together???". In saying that, about halfway through, I did stop to think that I was being a little too harsh… I specifically pondered on the amount of diabolical rom-coms that are lead by white actors (see again: the above listed) and how they're not as harshly criticised. So I decided to get over it! I GUESS ON A POSITIVE NOTE, what I did love the most with Picture This was the amount of cultural representation. It just felt SO refreshing to see it in a movie, let alone a rom-com. Very akin to Bend It Like Beckham, something I do love to see. And as much as this isn't the Oscar-worthy performance I was hoping for, I will be continuing to vouch for Simone Ashley in support of seeing her act alongside Dev Patel in a (hopefully good) rom-com one day (they have both said they'd love to work with each other — I'm not just saying this out of thin air — though I wouldn't put it past me!). I think we ALL know how compelling Simone can be on screen (see: Bridgerton), and we'll chalk it up to an imperfect script. Her comedic moments were great and she's a loveable hot mess in the best way possible. Will I watch it again? Honestly, probably not, but also maybe just to show my friends for laughs. But will I keep thinking about the scene (SPOILER!!) where Simone Ashley finds out her second date is a FLAT EARTHER (my personal biggest fear) and makes a run for it? Yes, yes I will. — Bernice Corral Picture This had me at Simone Ashley. The Bridgerton queen swapping corsets for modern-day dating drama? Yes, please. If you're a sucker for cheesy rom-coms (like me), this is the perfect pick for a cosy night in. It won't reinvent the wheel, but it gives you all those feel-good vibes we crave. We've all been in Pia's shoes with those "What am I doing with my life?" moments, so it's super relatable. The romance with Charlie (Fiennes Tiffin) is sweet, no doubt, but the movie is more focused on Pia's personal journey. And I'm all about that — personal growth is key — but I did wish the movie gave us a little more of the sisterly bond between Pia and Sonal. It felt like a missed opportunity to dig deeper into that relationship. Ross Ferguson Now, let's talk about Tiffin for a sec, because seeing him in this role was a shock to my system. I'm so used to him as the brooding, toxic guy in the After franchise (IYKYK), so seeing him as the more lighthearted, playful Charlie? Definitely a different vibe. Don't get me wrong, it was a refreshing change, but maybe I'm lowkey into the toxic drama? Like, give me more of that unhinged chaos. Overall, Picture This is a solid rom-com for unwinding. It might not be a classic, but it's a fun ride. And Simone Ashley? She's the rom-com star we didn't know we needed. Picture This triggered me left and right. But not because of anything negative that the film did — other than brilliantly portray the incredibly relatable struggle that first-gen immigrant women face. At first, I settled in, appreciating the brilliant Simone Ashley as Pia, and expecting a pretty standard rom-com that I could mildly relate to. But as soon as that lock-box came out, I knew I was in trouble. If you're unfamiliar, some banks have lock-boxes (sort of like mini safes) and people store all sorts of things in theirs. For my mother, just like Pia's, it's jewellery — namely gold. And I still vividly remember the first time I was told that I'd receive it when I got married. At the time, the heaviness of that statement didn't quite land with me, but as I grew up, and discovered that my goal in life was not, in fact, to be a wife, I feel differently. So when Pia boldly claimed she wanted no part in it, or the gold, I felt her passion deep within my soul (I'm sure I've told my parents some version of it time and time again throughout my life). From that moment, I was hooked, watching her navigate the complexities her world — complexities either I, or the women in my life, have faced. But the part that resonated with me most, aside from Pia's disengagement with marriage, was her seemingly strange commitment to not offering passport photos at her portrait studio. At the surface, it seems a little stubborn or reckless, avidly avoiding a service that might save your business. But as someone who broke through the barriers of the life imagined for me by my parents, grandparents, and so on, I understood it from the very first moment. Something that might seem trivial to others, feels like failure for those who have fought tooth and nail for a mere chance to live a life they actually want. Giving in to anything less, regardless of whether the resilience might lead to total annihilation, is not an option. Pia's determination to her cause was yet another facet of her identity that I truly resonated with. The film is packed with countless relatable moments I've never found in any other form of media — from crashing out at a family event, to Pia's snide remark about enjoying yoga with a side of "cultural appropriation" when the bridal party attends a session led by a white man (who's favourite film is Eat, Pray, Love — IYKYK). Sure, the dialogue and plot can feel a little cheesy sometimes, but isn't that what rom-coms are all about? Prime Video Overall, I deeply adored this film, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a feel-good ~romedy~, with a South-Asian female lead who is actually likeable (I might be side-eyeing a certain female comedian with that statement, but I stand by it). — Hameda Nafiz Need more TV show, movie, anime, and gaming recommendations? Check out Press Play, a column dedicated to reviewing the latest releases, uncovering hidden gems and solving the age-old question of "What do I stream?" (before your food gets cold).
New York Times
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Picture This' Review: Five Dates Away From Love
Did the casting call for 'Picture This' state that those without dimples needn't apply? Most of the actors in this British rom-com — directed by Prarthana Mohan — have them. Especially the men orbiting Pia (Simone Ashley of 'Bridgerton'), a talented photographer in London who is the hard-pressed business owner at the film's center. There's Jay (Luke Fetherston), her 'gay bestie,' he says by way of an introduction, the co-owner of the 9th Mandala portrait studio; cardigan-wearing Akshay (Nikesh Patel) who works for Pia's mother (Sindhu Vee) and Pia's ex, Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin). The former couple meets again when Charlie is included in the wedding party of Pia's sister, Sonal (Anoushka Chadha). Written by the novelist Nikita Lalwani and based on the Australian movie 'Five Blind Dates,' this twisty film finds Pia navigating her wish for independence and her business' need for a cash infusion. Her mother promises a safety box of jewels for when she gets married, but Pia wasn't planning on that possibility. The transactional and the traditional are wed when a jolly medium prophesies Pia will meet the love of her life in her next five dates. The title asks us to consider the film's visuals. The palette here is vivid. Screens split — sometimes vertically, other times horizontally — all in the spirit of playfulness, while the music is a mix of international pop grooves. For all the potentially crushing challenges Pia faces — losing her business, not living out her dream of being a photographer, alienating her beloved younger sister — 'Picture This,' keeps it light, never letting the sharp edges of potential failure come into focus. Picture This Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes. Watch on Prime Video.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Luke Fetherston Brings Depth To The ‘Gay Best Friend' Role In Amazon's New Rom-Com
When Luke Fetherston joined the cast of the romantic comedy 'Picture This,' he immediately saw his role as an opportunity to help 'validate younger LGBTQ+ people's experiences.' But he found himself relishing one of the perks of the job, too: the ability to bike to the film's London set from his home. 'My character's a gay man in his 30s living in [the London borough of] Hackney, and I'm all of those things. I didn't have to dig that deep,' the actor quipped. 'It's completely bizarre when you book a job and then you suddenly realize that you're 10 minutes down the road.' 'Picture This,' directed by Prarthana Mohan and due out Thursday on Amazon Prime Video, is an adaptation of the 2024 Australian comedy, 'Five Blind Dates.' The movie stars 'Bridgerton' actor Simone Ashley as Pia, a lovesick Londoner who is struggling to get her photography business off the ground despite some creative efforts spearheaded by Jay (Fetherston), her best friend and colleague. At her younger sister's engagement party, Pia is told by a spiritual guru that the love of her life will be found among her next five dates. But Pia's plans to get back into the dating scene are thwarted by the unexpected reappearance of her ex-boyfriend, Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin). Fetherston, whose credits include The CW's 'Pandora' and the Apple TV+ series 'Still Up,' has spoken in previous interviews about being told to hide his sexuality in the early years of his career. He also understood that the character of Jay would be classified as yet another example of the 'gay best friend' trope, much like Rupert Everett's George in 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and Willie Garson's Stanford on 'Sex and the City.' Ashley, who is of British-Indian heritage, has praised the ways in which 'Picture This' puts a multicultural twist on such rom-com traditions. As for Jay, Fetherston says the character felt more 'dimensional' than many of his cinematic or television predecessors. 'Jay is a constant for Pia and has this emotional arc that he goes on with her,' he explained. 'He really listens to Pia, whereas some of her family don't. He sees her and he appreciates what she's going through and is able to try and lift her out of the fog and send her on her way.' 'It's always nice for our community to see gay men playing gay roles,' he added. 'It's more visibility for us, which is only a good thing.' Born in Scotland and raised in East London, Fetherston got his start in musical theater, performing in productions of 'Funny Girl' and 'Fiddler on the Roof,' among other shows. In recent years, Fetherston has been mostly focused on TV, including a memorable role on Lifetime's 'Flowers in the Attic: The Origin.' Not only does 'Picture This' look poised to boost his Hollywood profile, but it also gave him a chance to reunite with Ashley, with whom he participated in an acting workshop more than a decade ago. 'When I read the script for my audition, I had an idea that it would be Simone,' he said. 'We hadn't seen each other for a long time, but we already had that familiarity. So the relationship between Jay and Pia just flourished on-screen, because we had that comfortability with each other.' Viewers hoping to see more of Fetherston after 'Picture This' are in luck, as the actor also has a principal role on the third season of the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Wheel of Time,' due out March 13. For now, Fetherston is enjoying being ensconced in the romantic comedy space, naming 'Clueless' and 'Notting Hill' as among his personal favorites. Still, he's hoping to expand the breadth of queer roles, whether in rom-coms or other genres, he tackles moving forward. 'I would like to play as many queer roles as possible because it's my lived experience ― it would be amazing to have that opportunity,' he said. 'It's amazing working with other actors who have different lenses on life, and I think absorbing all that in whatever way you can is beneficial.' Watch the trailer for 'Picture This' below. NBC's 'Brilliant Minds' Sets Itself Apart From Other Medical Dramas With A Tender Gay Love Story This New Dark Comedy Series Finds Humor In 'Being A Gay Mess In Your 30s' This Netflix And Broadway Star Shares More Than A Name With Her Breakout Role
