It Had to Be You

It Had to Be You has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. With 36 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Natasha Henstridge is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

There is a reason It Had to Be You keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate It Had to Be You from the crowd. Sparks fly when Anna Penn and Charlie Hudson meet. Unfortunately, they're both engaged to other people. In fact, they're staying at the same New York City hotel in order to work on wrapping up the last details of their nuptials. Natasha Henstridge and Michael Vartan lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2000. It Had to Be You earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in It Had to Be You. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Natasha Henstridge's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.