In recent months, the Taylor Jenkins Reid adaptation to receive the most attention is Prime Video’s rocking Daisy Jones & the Six miniseries. On top of that, Reid already has several additional adaptations in the works, and the mere idea of each one has inspired plenty of excitement online. Amid all that is One True Loves, an understated movie based on one of Reid’s earlier novels. One True Loves couldn’t be farther from the glitz and glam of Daisy Jones and the other in-development projects, though that isn’t a knock against its quality. One True Loves occasionally suffers from melodrama and a blunt approach, but its winning trio and earnest depiction of love save the day.
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Travel writer-turned-bookseller Emma (Phillipa Soo) is on the verge of a new beginning. After tragically losing her adventurous husband, Jesse (Luke Bracey), years ago, Emma has just gotten engaged to her high school best friend Sam (Simu Liu) and is ready to start a new life with him. However, everything is swiftly turned upside down when, directly after celebrating her new engagement with her family, she learns Jesse is actually alive and coming home to her. Torn between the person she used to be and the person she’s becoming, Emma is faced with an impossible decision: Return to Jesse, or move forward with Sam.

Phillipa Soo and Luke Bracey in One True Loves

Reid wrote the screenplay for One True Loves alongside her husband Alex Jenkins Reid, while Andy Fickman stepped in to direct. Admittedly, the movie gets off to a rough start due to its time-jumping format, which darts between Emma’s present and her past with Jesse. While this is necessary to establish the bond she shared with Jesse, it somewhat dulls the momentum of Emma’s realization that her long lost husband is, in fact, alive. Following their reunion — wherein Jesse clearly believes he and Emma are still destined to be together — One True Loves picks up and gives the story space to really dig into Emma’s conflicting feelings. To One True Loves’ credit, it doesn’t seek to nudge the audience in one direction or another; Emma’s feelings for both Jesse and Sam are evident and make a case for her to be with either man. Still, though, Emma’s final decision becomes somewhat obvious at a certain point, which hinders the idea that her position is a difficult one.

With a premise such as this, it seems inevitable that the plot will dip into some cheesy tendencies. The script doesn’t allow for much subtext, or for the viewer to draw their own conclusions. Instead, characters offer on-the-nose assessments and awkward proclamations. There are subtle moments of humor that make up for those transgressions, but it does feel like One True Loves is so eager to move the plot along that it eschews natural dialogue for a blunter approach. Luckily, despite some of its more ham-fisted behaviors, the film still proves to be an earnest exploration of love. Both of Emma’s courtships with Jesse and Sam have swoon-worthy moments, and her final romantic gesture with the man she chooses is charmingly silly. It hits the rom-com sweet spot and should leave viewers smiling.

It also helps that One True Loves is grounded by some endearing performers. Soo, best known for playing Eliza in the original Broadway cast of Hamilton, captures Emma’s conflicted feelings in a sympathetic way. The fact that she has to portray everything from her raw grief to her unbridled happiness means Soo gets to really show off her range. As Jesse, Bracey needs to nail both his adventurous spirit and his newly traumatized reality, and he does so in a way that grants Jesse sympathy, even when a more selfish side emerges. Marvel star Liu initially seems like he’s getting the short end of the stick as Sam, but he gets an excellent showcase in a funny and warm-hearted ranting session with the high school orchestra he leads. Additionally, Michaela Conlin deserves praise for her refreshingly frank performance as Emma’s sister Marie. Their relationship is a highlight of the film.

One True Loves may not be Reid’s most popular novel, but its adaptation is nevertheless handled with genuine care. The soapy premise won’t be for everyone, and its heavy-handed approach can alienate. Still, those willing to join Emma on this (mostly) complicated journey may very well find themselves charmed by the end. One True Loves sends a strong message about finding love after loss, and not being afraid to embrace a new reality. That is something that can resonate with anyone.

One True Loves will be in theaters on April 7 and on digital April 14. It is 100 minutes long and rated PG-13 for some suggestive material and language.