Film Review: WHAT HAPPENS LATER (2023): Meg Ryan and David Duchovny Have Sparkling Chemistry in a Whimsical Romantic Comedy

What Happens Later Review

What Happens Later (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Meg Ryan, written by Steven Dietz, Kirk Lynn and Meg Ryan and starring Meg Ryan, David Duchovny and Hal Liggett.

America loved Meg Ryan in the 1990’s thanks to her turns in some of the most romantic films ever made– Sleepless in Seattle, City of Angels, You’ve Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally, to name a few. Now in her early 60’s, the beloved actress makes a bid to recapture her “cutest woman alive” status by starring in the new comedy, What Happens Later which Ryan also directed. She’s cast opposite David Duchovny who is back in top form again in Ryan’s sweet film which is set in an airport where nobody else seems to exist besides our would-be romantic couple.

In What Happens Later, Duchovny stars as Bill who recognizes an old lover, Willa (Ryan), at the airport just around the time both of their flights get delayed due to an incoming storm. It seems Willa cheated on Bill as the plot progresses. That could have been the reason they never got together but Bill moved on, got married and had a daughter. Bill’s daughter is 15-years old and wants to be a dancer even though Bill unjustly advised her against it. While Bill’s young daughter doesn’t seem to have much talent in Bill’s eyes, it’s not fair for him to tell her that her dream is unachievable. Willa, on the other hand, gave up her own daughter for adoption 20 years ago.

This movie exists in a world where nobody else seems to be waiting for a plane except Bill and Willa. There are some other people in the background but they hardly seem to have any significance within the film. This movie is essentially a two character piece about a couple rekindling an old relationship. This picture rests on the charming interaction and well-written dialogue between Duchovny’s and Ryan’s characters. Such smart dialogue comes when Bill talks about how his daughter says “bad-bye” instead of goodbye when departing under less than happy circumstances. Ryan and Duchovny have a natural rapport on screen which is believable and entertaining to watch which helps matters significantly.

What happens at the airport while Bill and Willa are waiting for their flights to board? They bond, get to know each other, lay beside each other and ride around the airport on a small little vehicle. There is a voice on the speakers at the airport (Hal Liggett) who serves to fill the audience and the characters in on what’s going on regarding the next departing flights. At one point, the airport completely shuts down and Willa and Bill embrace each other and enjoy each other’s company. Bill curses out the voice on the loudspeaker too at one point in a funny scene where Duchovny successfully overacts.

There is plenty of romance as our two people re-connect in this magical story but the ending sort of feels like a letdown. It could feel a bit too open-ended as the two stars communicate to each other in a way that we’re not quite sure what they’re saying to one another. It’s like the whisper in the ear at the end of Lost in Translation in which we never quite knew, for sure, what was said. Ryan is a good director but she loses her audience a bit at the end while still managing to keep the audience emotionally invested in the characters. That’s not an easy feat.

Duchovny emerges with his best screen performance in years. Bill is a smart guy who’s unlucky in life and is finally getting to know the woman he once loved for another time in his life. The movie successfully deals with aging and the human condition as the characters discuss how insignificant people seem to become as they get older. Ryan matches Duchovny note for note with a terrific turn as the woman who had her own personal reasons for not being with Bill. Could love have conquered all if they stayed together when they were younger? Probably not but at least the couple gets another shot at love, even if it occurs a bit later than was expected.

What Happens Later is a good-natured movie. Ryan directs her film with style and precision. The movie could have easily become boring but never does. It’s the simplicity of the movie that is ultimately the film’s biggest strength. By blocking out any other people who may be at the airport, the audience gets to savor the characters played by the versatile Duchovny and the ever-so-charming Ryan. It’s actually my second favorite Duchovny performance to date. The Joneses with Duchovny and Demi Moore still remains Duchovny’s best screen performance ever. Still, the coupling of Ryan and Duchovny in What Happens Later is full of chemistry that will engage the audience all the way through. This new movie is far from perfect but What Happens Later will grow on its audience and could leave a tear in viewers’ eyes before the end credits come up.

Rating: 7.5/10

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