Love, Loss, and a Cinnamon Roll

Read Time:5 Minute, 54 Second

MOVIE REVIEWS
In Spite of Ourselves
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Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Year Released: 2025, 2026
Runtime: 1h 37m
Director(s): Josh Loeb
Writer(s): Josh Loeb
Cast: Conor Leslie, Brett Dier, Mo Mandel, Alyssa Limperis, Britian Seibert, Zora Casebere, Ethan Ingle, Glenn Morshower
Where to Watch: shown at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival 2026

RAVING REVIEW: Romantic comedies tend to focus on the thrill of falling in love. IN SPITE OF OURSELVES delivers the kind of premise that might lead viewers to assume they know exactly what kind of story they are about to watch. On the surface, it’s a relationship drama built around familiar emotional ideas. Yet what ultimately emerges is something more affecting than expected, a simple but deeply heartfelt film that lingers with you.

The story centers on two people whose connection begins in the most straightforward way possible. Their relationship grows gradually through small moments, conversations, and shared experiences that feel plucked from everyday reality. The film never pushes its characters into exaggerated melodrama. Instead, it allows their bond to develop naturally, creating a sense that these are people who could easily exist outside the screen. That approach becomes one of the film’s greatest strengths. Many romantic dramas rely heavily on grand gestures or dramatic twists to generate emotional impact. IN SPITE OF OURSELVES chooses a different path, focusing instead on observations about companionship, vulnerability, and the ways people carry emotional weight throughout their lives.

Conor Leslie and Brett Dier bring the film’s core duo to life as Hannah and Archie, two people whose connection feels refreshingly grounded from the moment they share the screen. Leslie gives Hannah a quiet openness that makes her instantly relatable, someone trying to move forward in life while still carrying the scars of the past. Dier’s Archie balances that energy with warmth and a slightly awkward sincerity that makes him feel like the kind of person who leads with his heart even when he doesn’t quite know what to say. Together, their dynamic never feels forced or overly bent to anyone's will. Instead, it reflects the kind of imperfect chemistry that often defines real relationships, where humor, hesitation, and emotional honesty coexist.

At the center of the film are performances that feel sincere in every way. The chemistry between the leads gives the story a sense of authenticity that anchors the entire experience. Their relationship unfolds through subtle gestures and moments of shared understanding rather than dramatic declarations. The result is a portrayal of love that feels genuine, imperfect, and deeply human. The film’s emotion comes from its willingness to explore both the beauty and the fragility of connection. Moments of warmth and humor are woven throughout the narrative, reminding the audience that joy often exists alongside uncertainty. These lighter moments never feel like distractions from the drama. Instead, they reinforce the idea that life rarely exists in a single register.

At the same time, the film doesn’t shy away from the difficult realities that shape its characters’ lives. There is a persistent undercurrent of vulnerability running through the story. Viewers are asked to prepare themselves for heartbreak, not through shock but through a gradual awareness that the characters’ happiness exists in a delicate balance. This emotional balance between hope and sorrow is where the film finds its most resounding moments. The narrative reminds us that the experiences that bring us the greatest happiness are often the same ones that leave us most exposed to loss. By acknowledging that truth, IN SPITE OF OURSELVES captures a version of love that feels honest rather than idealized.

The pacing reflects the film’s overall tone. Scenes are allowed to breathe, giving the audience time to absorb the characters’ emotional states. The film moves forward with patience, trusting that viewers will connect with the story through empathy rather than chaos. This deliberate rhythm also reinforces the sense that the film is about ordinary lives rather than extraordinary events. The story unfolds through conversations, shared routines, and personal revelations that accumulate into something more powerful than the individual moments alone. There’s nothing flashy about the storytelling, but that restraint ultimately strengthens the film’s emotional impact.

One of the most surprising aspects of IN SPITE OF OURSELVES is how easily it invites the audience into its world. What begins as a straightforward character-driven drama gradually reveals deeper layers of emotional insight. The film becomes less about the plot itself and more about the experience of witnessing two people navigate the complexities of love and loss together. That accessibility is part of what makes the film so easy to watch. It doesn’t require complicated narrative structures or elaborate symbolism to communicate its themes. Instead, it relies on honesty and empathy, allowing the story to unfold in a way that feels approachable without sacrificing emotional depth.

The film’s tone ultimately reflects a broader understanding of life’s contradictions. Happiness and sorrow rarely arrive separately. They often coexist in the same moments, intertwined in ways that make living both beautiful and painful. IN SPITE OF OURSELVES understands that truth and embraces it. The story invites viewers to laugh, reflect, and occasionally brace themselves for emotional weight that arrives quietly but effectively.

In the end, it becomes clear that the story has accomplished something more meaningful than expected. What initially appeared to be a modest relationship drama evolves into a thoughtful exploration of how people find connection amid life’s uncertainties. The film may be simple in structure, but its emotional resonance is anything but small. IN SPITE OF OURSELVES offers a reminder that the most powerful stories are often the ones that mirror our own experiences. It is the kind of film that unfolds gently, settles into the heart, and remains there long after the screen goes dark.

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[photo courtesy of SHELGREN MEDIA]

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