Director
Josh Lawson
(The Little Death)

Starring
Rafe Spall, Zahra Newman, Ronny Chieng and Noni Hazlehurst

Long Story Short is the second feature film in Josh Lawson’s directing career and is certain to open the door for many more directing opportunities. Although Australian cinema isn’t exactly known for prolific romantic comedies, this one is sure to buck the trend and find a number of fans for its frenetic and heartwarming capers. 

Set in Sydney and telling the story of Teddy (Rafe Spall) and Leanne (Zahra Newman), who endure an awkward little meet-cute at a New Year’s Eve party when Teddy mistakes Leanne for his girlfriend (who had been wearing the same dress) and proceeds to kiss her at midnight. Fast forwarding five years, the now engaged couple are visiting the cemetery where Teddy’s father is buried, when they encounter a mysterious and cryptic stranger (Noni Hazlehurst) who notices that Teddy keeps putting off important things in his life due to a perceived lack of time. The stranger advises Teddy that she is giving him a great gift and then convinces him to marry Leanne in two weeks’ time. On the night of their wedding, this mysterious gift starts to take effect, resulting in Teddy’s life jumping forward at warped speed and revealing the fate of his and Leanne’s marriage. 

What ensues is a bit of a meeting of It’s A Wonderful Life and Click, whilst managing to find its own flare and uniqueness so that doesn’t feel stale or revisionary. The casting of Rafe Spall (best known for his starring role in the new Apple TV show Trying) and Zahra Newman in her film debut are shown to be shrewd choices. Their ease of chemistry on screen is obvious and it makes you really want to root for them from the get go. If the film has a flaw, it’s probably the middle of the story where it does feel a little bit ‘on-loop’, but it’s well and truly compensated for by a strong start and brilliant finish. 

It’s a laugh-out-loud affair that gives you a lot of joy in the somewhat mundane times we’re currently living in. Honestly one of the best romantic comedies to come out of Australia in a very long time. Catch this little bit of food for your soul in cinemas now.  

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