Not the kind of couples therapy we need.
I saw “Oh, Hi!” at an AMC Screen Unseen showing a few weeks ago, and I didn’t really see a trailer for it. But here’s how it opens and proceeds. We begin with Logan Lerman as Isaac and Molly Gordon as Iris, who both have been dating for four months and have their first romantic getaway in a cabin. They seemingly start off as a perfect couple, swimming and kissing in a lake, having a delicious dinner, and having sex with cuffs. But then Isaac admits he doesn’t want to pursue a relationship, and now, Iris wants to convince him they’re both mean to be together.
That’s the set up for “Oh Hi,” which is an Indie comedy with some laughs (with some strawberries in the mix) and likable supporting characters, but not so much with the main couple and execution. I’m just glad it didn’t stoop to the level of “All About Steve,” which was a creepy comedy about a nutcase who was stalking a guy she likes.
Since Isaac is the one cuffed to the bed, it becomes “Misery,” as Iris decides to keep him there, until he can give her what she wants. She gives him until the end of the day to change his mind about their relationship status. But does she honestly think it would be that easy? Obviously, the people behind “Hurry Up Tomorrow” didn’t think long and hard about this kind of premise.
Also in the mix are her Australian friend Max (Geraldine Viswanathan, who co-starred with Gordon in “The Broken Hearts Gallery”) and her boyfriend Kenny (John Reynolds from “Save Yourselves”), who make an unexpected visit to the house and find themselves implicated in what appears to be a crime.
Here’s the idea (and sorry if this sounds like a spoiler alert, but this is part of my complaint). Max claims she can conjure up a potion that would erase Isaac’s memories in the morning. How do they do know that he won’t be faking his wiped out memory?
The reason for the title is because a sign is supposed to say: “Welcome to High Falls.” But the “To” is broken, so it looks like “Oh Hi Falls.” The boy knows it’s a typo, but the girl thinks otherwise.
Here’s an example of the film’s comedic touch. As I begin to watch “Oh Hi!,” I wonder if the residents of High Falls (not Oh Hi) are supposed to be part of something big, because there is a strawberry saleswoman with a smile and a neighbor (David Cross) who accuses the couple of having sex in public when they’re kissing in their bathing suits in the pond. They’re not creepy, but the neighbor might be wondering about Iris’ odd behavior.
Viswanathan, Reynolds, and Cross are the ones who deliver with the right comedic timing and energy, but the chemistry between Gordan and Lerman is a missed opportunity. They both start off promising with the strawberries and odd residents, but then they take a wrong turn with cynicism and predictability. Relationships can be complicated and some couples wouldn’t even make it there just yet, and that’s understandable. But the movie ends up going through the motions with the set-up.
Gordon co-wrote the screenplay with director Sophie Brooks, and the actress has done a fun job co-directing “Theater Camp” two years ago. She can be a talented actress and versatile filmmaker, but “Oh, Hi!” doesn’t have that “Theater Camp” sparkle.