Review: Cliches on Display in 'The Broken Hearts Gallery'

Many of us probably keep mementos from past relationships, reminders of lost love. Should we retain souvenirs or let them go, unmoored by the past? Written and directed by Natalie Krinsky, in her directorial debut, "The Broken Hearts Gallery" stars Geraldine Viswanathan as Lucy, an art gallery assistant living in New York City. After getting fired and dumped on the same day, she eventually opens an art space to display artifacts from past relationships.

Geraldine Viswanathan is superb as Lucy, infusing her with exuberant vitality and effervescent charm. Lucy collects trinkets belonging to her exes. They're mundane items: A tie, retainer, keys, espresso machine, a rubber duck, etc. People throughout the film call her "a hoarder." Lucy feels they remind her of happy memories, saying, "I live in a cave of souvenirs, like The Little Mermaid." But her friends worry that holding onto these items keeps her stuck in the past.

After meeting Nick (Dacre Montgomery), whom she mistakenly thinks is her Uber driver, the two clash. He thinks she anticipates her relationships' demise by holding onto relationship mementos; she believes "they're a celebration of memories." He closes himself off so as not to get hurt, while she believes you need to take risks romantically.

When Nick hangs a tie from Lucy's ex on a wall, this inspires Lucy to create her pop-up gallery. She believes art can be found anywhere and that heartbreak "is the great equalizer." In typical rom-com fashion, despite their differences, they become business partners (he's building a boutique hotel where her gallery resides) and friends. Unfortunately, Lucy and Nick have zero chemistry.

It's great that many characters are people of color (including Lucy) and queer (including Nadine, who's a lesbian). It's also nice to see supportive friendships. Extremely protective, Lucy's roommates, Nadine (Phillipa Soo) and Amanda (Molly Gordon), interrogate men to ensure they treat Lucy right.

In a good scene, successful gallery owner Eva Woolf (Bernadette Peters) tells Lucy how she left her ex-husband in order to start her gallery. Lucy asks if she regrets marriage. She says, "Never. I wouldn't be me if our paths hadn't crossed. I also wouldn't be me if I hadn't let go." It's what Lucy needs to hear.

Unfortunately, the film is tedious, clich�d, and trite. It needs better writing to expand the narrative and deepen characters. Sadly, it also suffers from stilted acting from much of the cast, aside from Viswanathan, Soo, and Peters, who are good in their roles.

Some disturbing choices in humor tarnish the film. In one scene, a woman confronts Nick about hitting Lucy after Lucy says he "manhandled" her. It's intended as comical but there's nothing funny about domestic violence. In other scenes, Lucy jokes about Nick murdering and stalking her. It's especially jarring in a film with overt feminist touches.

The film suffers from a rage-inducing climax. It unravels and undermines its own message about letting go to pursue your dreams. In a scene that should focus on Lucy's career, it pivots to center a man. I know it's a rom-com, so love will take center stage but it shouldn't consume you at the expense of your personal triumphs.

Despite a good premise, diverse cast, and an engaging lead performance, "The Broken Hearts Gallery" lacks depth and reinforces tired tropes.

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AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL NOVEMBER 10
AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY� and DVD NOVEMBER 17