‘Set It Up’ Is A Rom-Com That Neglects the Talent of Lucy Liu
Set It Up is a romantic comedy that focuses entirely on the wrong relationship, therefore becoming another Netflix feature you can skip.
Taye Diggs & Lucy Liu. Image via Netflix.
Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) are overworked and stressed out 20-something-year-olds who decide to set up their bosses Kirsten and Rick, played by the incomparable Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs.
They concoct a little Parent Trap style scheme that involves office hijinks to get their unbearable bosses together. However, once the set up is successful, the movie fails to focus on that relationship or to give it equal screen time. Liu’s very brief appearances as the uptight sports magazine editor are 100% more compelling and hilarious than the two lead characters’ scenes combined.
The movie follows the two assistants as they oversee this turbulent and passionate relationship, which eventually thrusts them into one another’s arms. Every step of their bland relationship is predictable and boring. You will be left wondering what is going on with Liu’s and Diggs’ characters who are both way out of their depth. From what we know about them, they both have had their careers stand in the way of lasting love, and this relationship is new and exciting for them. There is even a twist with the relationship that is used as a conflict for the assistants. In the end, this movie is incredibly misguided and certainly misuses Liu.
However, there is some entertainment value in the movie, and I am sure there will be a great number of people who will enjoy the relationship that develops between Harper and Charlie. Deutch and Powell are charming and serviceable as the leads. But ultimately, the movie as a whole is just one massive misstep.
Set It Up is an example of what not to do – do not cast the charismatic, fabulously dressed Lucy Liu if you do not have a movie worthy of her talents.
Watch or skip Set It Up, it doesn’t really matter. Set It Up drops on Netflix June 15th.
