Resort to Love is not breaking the romantic comedy mold in any way, but by embracing tropes and delivering on light summer fun, it’s a feel-good movie through and through. Erica (Christina Milian) is in desperate need of some eat, pray, love after her engagement is abruptly called off and her career goes through a momentary breakdown when her collaboration with a famous music artist ends in, well, things literally breaking. When Erica’s friends suggest she take a job as a wedding singer at a high-end resort, Erica has no reason to say no. Writers deep in rom-com territory can take away a lot from Resort to Love’s effective embrace of what can be so lovely about the genre that loves love. 

The other woman 
There is a fun "other woman" trope here. After singing a very sad rendition of "I Will Always Love You" at her first wedding-party gig, Erica has an encounter with a very handsome stranger, only to learn he is the brother of her ex-fiancé, Jason (Jay Pharoah). Erica becomes the other woman as everyone wants her to keep this a secret from Jason’s new fiancée, Beverly (Christiani Pitts). Rooting for Erica, it’s hard not to want Beverly to be imperfect for Jason; but they’re totally perfect together, and she’s beyond likable when throwing down a perfect rap at karaoke. All Beverly wants is to be Erica’s friend, which simultaneously breaks Erica’s heart. 

Forbidden love 
Jason’s brother Cre (Kayne Lee Harrison) and Erica have instant chemistry (not to mention he’s got perfect rom-com-hot-guy abs for days). But of course it would be taboo for the groom’s ex and his brother to get together when the break-up is still fresh and the new wedding is impending. This forbidden love makes for off-the-charts chemistry and when the kiss finally comes for Cre and Erica, it is beyond satisfying. 

The hook 
Big rom-coms often come with great hooks, and this one is no different. While you can’t deny the similarities between its hook to that of Adam Sandler’s The Wedding Singer (a wedding singer who starts out as beyond sad and unlucky in love); this film is more grounded, does not come with a side of Adam Sandler comedy, and Erica has a true set of breathtaking pipes. Writers can absolutely revive old hooks, but they must come with a new spin (as Resort to Love did very aptly here). 

Second chances 
It is fun to watch Jason struggle with regret and wonder if he made a mistake calling off his first wedding (and if he’s fit marriage material now). In rom-coms, it is so often the female lead who struggles with her decisions and it was nice to see that trope turned on its head here. Erica very quickly becomes a self-assured woman after her break-up. She knows who she is and what she wants and she does not want to go back, no matter how much Jason may wish for a second chance. 

Happy endings 
Ninety percent of rom-coms end with happiness and this one is no different. For light summer fare that makes one feel good, Resort to Love delivers. There is a fun and slightly unexpected Runaway Bride moment before the final happy ending and again, the film does a nice job of delivering on female empowerment. There is no "woman chasing man" story here and that serves the movie well, making it feel modern and adding realism to the storyline. The happy ending feels deserved, and again the Cre-and-Erica chemistry is worth sitting through some expected moments. 

Final takeaway 
While Resort to Love does not break any new rom-com ground, the commitment of the actors and the trope-embracing writing is a highly enjoyable watch for fans of the genre (not to mention all the leads are drop-dead gorgeous). It also cleverly revives the hook of a wedding singer in a way that feels fresh. Audiences looking for a boost of the oxytocin love drug should take a trip to this resort.