Summary
Netflix is making a screen adaptation of the bestselling novelPeople We Meet on Vacation, and though I was initially unimpressed, the film’s casting has changed my mind. The 2021 romance book by Emily Henry was a fast hit, establishing itself on theNew York TimesBest Sellers list rather quickly. I was among those who picked up a copy and greatly enjoyed the story of Poppy and Alex, but the news that Netflix would be making a movie surprised me. The charming story is perfect for a book, but I couldn’t see what value a movie would bring. Now, however, my opinion has swayed.
People We Meet on Vacationfollows a pair of plutonic friends, Alex and Poppy, who have been taking vacations together every summer since college. However, after a falling out lasting several years (following an event left a mystery for most of the book), Poppy tries to rekindle her friendship with Alex with one more big trip.Netflix announced that these two characterswould be played by Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)and Emily Bader (My Lady Jane), and this news completely changed my mind regarding the necessity of the movie.
People We Meet On Vacation: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
Emily Henry’s novel People We Meet on Vacation is getting a feature film adaptation, and there are already a ton of updates about Netflix’s rom-com.
I Didn’t Think People We Meet On Vacation Needed A Movie (But Tom Blyth Changed My Mind)
Blyth’s Casting Indicates A Quality Book-To-Screen Adaptation
I thoroughly enjoyedPeople We Meet on Vacation, which meant I was wary when I heard that Netflix would be making a movie based on the book. The streaming company seems to be adapting as many popular novels as possible, and while this is sometimes good, stories can easily be damaged by the process. It often feels that these book-to-screen adaptations aren’t given the attention they deserve.Romance novels especially wind up feeling cheesy and superficial thanks to lower budgetsand thoughtless casting. In the case of some of my favorite books, I have wished that Netflix never bothered.
As charming as Poppy and Alex’s story is, it could easily turn out poorly on screen. Without Henry’s writing,People We Meet on Vacationcould be another substanceless romcom. However, Netflix’s casting of Blyth and Bader indicates that the upcoming movie won’t be a low-budget nightmare. Blyth proved himself a phenomenal actor playing thedeeply complicated President Snow inThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.Additionally, he established himself as a heartthrob,making the chances ofPeople We Meet on Vacationbeing treated with respect slightly higher.
Tom Blyth also appeared inBenediction(2021) andScott and Sid(2021).
Blyth’s People Me Meet On Vacation Character Will Be Easier To Love
Audiences quickly fell in love withBlyth in hisHunger Gamesprequel movie, but this was a bit of a problem since his character was a murderous future dictator. Of course, the young President Snow was supposed to be charismatic and likable since it was important that audiences felt conflicted about him. Blyth pulled this off spectacularly, bringing a romantic tenderness to Snow that added depth to theHunger Gamescharacter. Now, however,it would be great to see the actor in a romantic role that is a little less problematic.
Blyth’s People We Meet on Vacation character is also easy to like without that blaring problem of being a monster.
Blyth’sPeople We Meet on Vacationcharacter is also easy to like without that blaring problem of being a monster. Of course, this isn’t to say Alex lacks depth. Part of why I was so unsure about a movie adaptation is that these were well-crafted characters that would require nuanced performances to pull off. Netflix hasn’t always put the time and energy into its book-based romantic comedies, but with an actor like Blyth (and, of course, Bader) involved, it looks likePeople We Meet on Vacationwill be among the exceptions.
People We Meet on Vacation
Cast
People We Meet on Vacation follows Poppy and Alex, two contrasting personalities who maintain a decade-long friendship despite living in separate cities. Every summer, they embark on vacations together, eventually confronting the nature of their relationship and facing the possibility of a romantic connection.
