‘Your Place or Mine’ review: A return to form for two rom-com icons

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’d think studios would be scrambling to get the perfect date night movie out before then. While the last few years have not provided us with many options, fortunately, there’s at least one to get the job done ahead of the holiday this time.

Your Place or Mine stars Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher as best friends who have known each other for over a decade, but live relatively opposite lifestyles. Debbie (Witherspoon) lives in LA and is completely devoted to caring for her son, while Peter (Kutcher) is a typical bachelor living in NYC. They talk on the phone every day, keeping each other updated on almost every detail of their lives, but continue to neglect the idea that there could be something more between them. You know, just like pretty much every “platonic” relationship between two hetero friends of the opposite sex.

The film is written and directed by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, 27 Dresses) in her directorial debut, and was conceptualized roughly 12 years ago when McKenna’s friend lent her his New York apartment. In the film, Debbie trades homes with Peter for a week, leaving him responsible for her son Jack (Wesley Kimmel) while she tries to remain, in her words, “practical” and advance her career.

“I feel like we should see what you and I could be.”

Their relationship continues to stay within the confines of their phones, but regardless of the distance, opening the doors to more intimate parts of each other’s lives seems to make them closer. Of course, conflict ensues with a potential new suitor for Debbie, plus the question of trustworthiness regarding traditionally irresponsible Peter when it comes to Jack.

Outside of its genuine humor and romance, one of the brightest spots of Your Place or Mine is actually the young Wesley Kimmel (yes, relation to Jimmy). He does a pretty great job with comedic timing at such a young age. The bond between Jack and Peter, especially, is worth giving the film a chance. Supporting roles from Tig Notaro, Zoë Chao, and Steve Zahn are also worth mentioning for various scene stealing purposes.

Although it’s been more than five years since Reese Witherspoon starred in a rom-com and even longer for Ashton Kutcher, it’s as if neither ever left the genre in this film. As two of the frequent leaders during Hollywood’s prime romantic comedy years, it’s refreshing to see them star alongside each other for the first time. With a storyline that could have easily boiled down to predictable or mundane, the cast ultimately unveils a plot that’s charming, lighthearted, and entertaining.

Despite the rumors surrounding the pair’s recent red carpet photos, Kutcher and Witherspoon have plenty of chemistry in this will-they-won’t-they love story. If you’re among those who believe rom-coms have lain dormant since the 2000s, you’ll be happy you gave this one a try.

Your Place or Mine is now available to stream on Netflix. Check out the trailer here.