I’ve criticized romantic comedies for being too quirky, too plucky, and too light.  However, it’s been because these over-saturated films have also tried to sell audiences phoney sentimentality while peddling hammy humour – it’s an uneven combo.  Bakery in Brooklyn picks one side and sticks with it, which is why it’s receiving a hearty recommendation.

Bakery in Brooklyn, a charming date movie from writer/director Gustavo Ron (Ways to Live Forever), is saved by its consistency.  Consistency is appreciated by movie goers, but it’s often overlooked as a core strength.  Instead of straining to find relatable material in the eccentric story of two opposites teaming-up to save their late Aunt’s boulangerie, Ron and co-writer Francisco Zegers anchor their film in a modern-day fairy tale, giving the audience a fully-realized, playful film that faithfully relishes in silliness and romance.

The movie also benefits from a cast and crew who are having infectious fun.  There are never moments of embarrassment by the filmmakers or snippets of sheepishness from the cast.  Even when the film proposes sub-plots that are too ambitious or cheesy, the production’s intrepidness fits with the unusual, out-of-this-world nature.  I also appreciated how Gustavo Ron was able to tinker with fantasy elements without making his film contrived or too on-the-nose (the filmmaker using a storybook as a framing device for the narrative is surprisingly nuanced).

From beginning to end, Bakery in Brooklyn is as buoyant as fresh pastries.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie