Even in trying times, a great movie can do wonders for you. The prospect of watching Sam Richardson and Brittany Snow in a romantic comedy already offered up some glowing potential, but nothing will prepare you for how wonderful this film is. A charming, funny, and sexy rom-com, Hooking Up even manages to get serious at times in a way that never betrays its core entertainment value. With terrific performances by Richardson and Snow, who display absolutely phenomenal chemistry, this is one of the year’s most pleasant surprises. Coming to VOD on Friday (an initially theatrical run is obviously out of the question right now), it deserves to find a place in your hearts. The film is a romantic comedy couched around a road trip. When Bailey (Richardson) and Darla (Snow) first meet, they’re in a school entering very different support groups. He’s a survivor of testicular cancer participating in a cancer support group in the face of a potential new diagnosis. She’s a magazine columnist (and specifically a sex therapist) that’s been court ordered to participate in sex therapy. Their impending troubles bring them together during their respective sessions one night, leading to a tentative friendship, which turns into an idea by Darla. She proposes that they embark on a cross-country road trip, re-enacting her rather colorful sexual history, under the guise of it being a step in combating sex addiction, as well as giving Bailey a sex-fueled romp before he faces another operation. In reality, the misguided and deceitful form of therapy is actually a new column she’s planning to get her editor (Jordana Brewster) not to fire her. Of course, her true motivations for the road trip will come to light, and at the worst possible time. At that point, things take a turn for the serious, confronting issues of actual addiction, depression, and whether these two individuals can actually be happy. Nico Raineau directs a screenplay that he co-wrote with Lauren Schacher. Greg Townley provides the music, while Jeff Bierman handles the cinematography. The cast also includes Anna Akana, Vivica A. Fox, Amy Pietz, Alexis G. Zall, and more. Sam Richardson and Brittany Snow are absolutely tremendous. Both have never been better, showcasing layers to their performances that help elevate and make these characters as memorable as they are. Richardson was a scene stealer on Veep, and here he’s asked to add dramatic heft and intelligence […]