Surprise Me! (2019)

Surprise Me! Poster

What if pain was merely a set up for the ultimate surprise party? Genie Burns, owner of Surprise Enterprise, masterminds off the wall surprise parties in nobody would-suspect-it locations. Here she takes crazy risks but in her love life, she plays it safe. Her partner Steven, who hilariously calls her out on every issue she owns, is gay which makes him safe. Danny, her friend from college would be perfect for her but she keeps him in the friend zone. Along comes Jeff, everything she avoids, but his charm and depth draw her in. Is he the right one because he challenges her fears, or the wrong one because he implodes them?

Film Overview
"Surprise Me!" is a 2019 romantic comedy film directed and written by Nancy Goodman, and adapted from her book of the exact same name. The plot revolves around an expert occasion organizer, Genie, who concentrates on surprise parties and her journey to self-discovery and love.

Main Plot
Genie tosses extravagant surprise parties for those who can manage her services. Nevertheless, beneath the successful façade, she lives an unfinished life, having problem with her weight and self-confidence. She comes to grips with food addiction which complicates her relationships, individual life and well-being. Her perpetually single status begins to change as she fulfills Jeff, a guy she is at first unwilling to date due to the fact that he's a healthy eater and a fitness enthusiast.

Character Development and Twists
Initially, the differences in their food habits and lifestyle choices create a wall between Genie and Jeff. However, as the film advances, they bond over their shared senses of humor and slowly develop a mutual tourist attraction. This newly found romance temporarily sends Genie's fixation with food on the back-burner, changing her emotional landscape considerably. Meanwhile, Genie's customer, Steven, is planning a surprise engagement party for his sweetheart, Danny.

In a serendipitous twist of fate, Danny succumbs to Jeff. Similarly, Genie starts developing sensations for Steven. This new romantic tangle drives the story into a brand-new exciting direction. The love-quadrangle imbues emotional complexity into the story and accelerates the rate of Genie's self-realization.

Resolution and Aftermath
After much psychological turmoil and intricacies, Genie arrive on the course of self-discovery. She finds out to face her deep-rooted concerns with weight and self-confidence, eventually confirming that her addiction stems from using food as a coping system for psychological stress. In a vibrant move, she deserts the mentally disorderly environment and concentrates on improving her relationship with food and herself.

Meanwhile, the relationship troubles are figured out when Genie challenges her sensations for Steven and Danny exposes her love for Jeff. As a result, the planned surprise celebration develops into an unanticipated double engagement party. The film ends with Genie making peace with her formerly turbulent life and assured about her future.

Message and Conclusion
"Surprise Me!" is not simply an essential rom-com; it breaks new ground by discussing the sensitive subject matter of emotional consuming, body concerns, and self-worth. The film sensitively unwraps the inner discussions of an individual dealing with food addiction while embedding these themes within an interesting romantic funny narrative.

The movie ends on an enthusiastic note, sending out an effective message of self-love and approval, encouraging viewers to deal with their skeletons and acknowledging the sensitivity around themes of body image and self-confidence. Goodman's film, for this reason, effectively weds mainstream romantic comedy tropes with more profound themes for a feel-good, thoughtful movie theater experience.

Top Cast

  • Fiona Gubelmann (small)
    Fiona Gubelmann
    Genie Burns
  • Jonathan Bennett (small)
    Jonathan Bennett
    Danny
  • Sean Faris (small)
    Sean Faris
    Jeff Bachmann
  • Nicole Sullivan (small)
    Nicole Sullivan
    Ellen
  • DuShon Monique Brown (small)
    DuShon Monique Brown
    Shirley
  • Ta'Rhonda Jones (small)
    Ta'Rhonda Jones
    Lady
  • Heidi Johanningmeier (small)
    Heidi Johanningmeier
    Andrea
  • Melissa Carlson
    Julie Sutton