A twinkling New York City dressed up and bustling for the holidays accompanied by the smooth baritone of Dean Martin invites us into director Daryl Wein’s Something from Tiffany’s. Written for the screen by Tamara Chestna and adapted from Melissa Hill’s book of the same name, the film is heartfelt and witty, with engaging characters, and a clever meet cute. Wein teases us with a long con, waiting until just the right moment to satisfy audiences.
The holidays in New York City are magical, and it might surprise you to learn that nearly two million couples get engaged each year in December. Whether it’s the dazzling tree in Rockefeller Center or hot chocolate with a charming stranger in Times Square over a buttery cornetto, love is in the air — and sometimes you find it when you think you’ve already found it with someone else. Something from Tiffany’s follows Rachel (Zoey Deutch) and Gary (Ray Nicholson), a happy enough couple that isn’t quite ready for a special blue box from Tiffany’s to change their lives. Ethan (Kendrick Sampson) and Vanessa (Shay Mitchell) seem like the perfect match and are ready to take the leap. When the gift bags holding Ethan’s engagement ring and Gary’s earrings get swapped, it sets off a chain reaction bringing two people together when they least expect it.
The film centers on Rachel, a chef whose frequently excused woes with her self-absorbed partner are more than a little relatable. While brought together abruptly by Gary’s unfortunate absent-minded car-versus-pedestrian accident with a taxi, Rachel and Ethan feel like two old friends, instantly at ease with each other — a couple of genuine and kindred spirits whose paths cross at the perfect moment. While getting to know each other, Rachel explains to Ethan why she loves baking. “It’s like a meditation, it’s a love language, all-in-one. It’s messy, but I love that something beautiful always comes out of the mess.” This bit of dialogue perfectly foreshadows what’s to come and their will-they-won’t-they paths forward.
While Rachel is the heart of the film, and Deutch gives a familiarly appealing, relatable, and charming performance, it’s Jojo T. Gibbs’ that is the film’s standout. Terri Blake (Gibbs) is Rachel’s business partner, often imparting wisdom and giving unrequested advice to her best friend. There’s always a best friend character, but Terri doesn’t feel like an afterthought. She and her wife Sophia (Javicia Leslie) share some of the most memorable and entertaining moments in Something from Tiffany’s with their constant and magnetic banter. Their lovable scenes are sprinkled throughout the film, reminding audiences what a happy and secure love looks like. Their’s is the kind of love both Ethan and Rachel are subconsciously searching for without realizing they’re missing it.
The film works because it has that special something that’s difficult to describe. It’s familiar and comforting, like reading your favorite book while tucked into your favorite blanket on a rainy day. The romantic chemistry between Deutch and Sampson is undeniable, but what really shined was the beautiful connection between Rachel and Daisy (Leah Jeffries), Ethan’s daughter. All three characters share an unspoken understanding about the lingering pain of a love that’s been lost and why cherishing what you have is so important.
Romantic comedies follow a predictable formula, but this film offers enough surprises and genuine tenderness to hold the attention of audiences while pulling at our nostalgia for the holiday season. Wein manages to make us laugh, cry, and root for the characters, despite our personal outlooks on love. Something from Tiffany’s is a refreshing and feel-good cinematic experience. It evokes the magic of a classic rom-com — think When Harry Met Sally meets You’ve Got Mail — while remaining unique enough to stand on its own.
