There is something almost refreshing about how little Office Romance cares about reinventing the romantic comedy. Directed by Ol Parker and starring Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein, Netflix’s latest original film doesn’t chase irony or attempt to deconstruct the genre. Instead, it embraces old-fashioned rom-com pleasures with complete sincerity. That simplicity is both the movie’s greatest asset and the reason it ultimately falls short of becoming anything truly special.
Jennifer Lopez has long been one of the genre’s most reliable stars, and Office Romance reminds viewers why. She effortlessly commands the screen, bringing glamour, confidence, and warmth to a character that could have easily been reduced to a collection of familiar archetypes. Lopez understands the appeal of these movies better than most, and even when the script struggles to find fresh ways of developing its central relationship, she keeps things afloat through sheer charisma.
Brett Goldstein, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Kelly, proves to be a likable leading man. His awkward charm and self-awareness make for an appealing contrast to Lopez’s polished presence. Yet while both performers are individually engaging, the chemistry between them never reaches the level one hopes for in a romantic comedy. The relationship is sweet and believable, but it lacks the electric tension that turns good pairings into unforgettable ones.
That issue extends to the film as a whole. Office Romance often feels content with being pleasant when it should be striving to be memorable. The script faithfully follows familiar genre beats, and while there’s certainly comfort in that, the movie rarely surprises. It doesn’t so much subvert expectations as gently stroll alongside them.
Fortunately, the film’s sense of humor prevents it from becoming overly routine. Goldstein’s comedic voice shines through in several scenes, and the supporting cast injects plenty of personality into the story. Betty Gilpin, in particular, emerges as one of the film’s secret weapons, stealing scenes with her sharp timing and commitment to some of the more absurd moments. Not every joke lands, however, and the occasional attempts at raunchier humor feel oddly out of sync with the film’s otherwise warm and breezy atmosphere.
Where the show disappoints most is visually. Parker directs with efficiency rather than inspiration, and the movie suffers from the increasingly common streaming problem of looking polished but anonymous. Romantic comedies were once defined by their glamorous settings and cinematic sweep. Here, everything feels functional, as though the visuals are merely there to support the dialogue instead of creating romance of their own.
The middle act also drifts more than it should. Various subplots pull attention away from the central couple, and the pacing loses momentum before eventually finding its footing again in the final stretch. The movie never becomes dull, but it occasionally feels more scattered than necessary.
Still, it’s difficult to be too hard on a film that is this genuinely good-natured. Office Romance never pretends to be profound, nor does it hide behind sarcasm or self-awareness. It simply wants to entertain, make audiences laugh, and send them home with a smile. In that respect, it succeeds.
It may not rank among the best romantic comedies of recent years, and it certainly won’t replace the classics that inspired it. But thanks to two charming leads and an easygoing spirit, Office Romance remains a fun, effortlessly watchable reminder that sometimes familiar formulas still have their place.
