As this better-than-expected movie portrays it, Brian hung back from the start, never asking Gabby out till she pretty much forced him to.
The popular paperback "He's Just Not that Into You" advises women to take such signals seriously; wild horses couldn't stop a man with genuine interest from pursuing his woman of choice.
So this ill-fated couple starts off on the wrong foot, and, from the beginning, we wonder what it is in homely, diffident Brian that captures the interest and devotion of pretty, spirited Gabby.
The movie portrays Brian as possessing that green-eyed character flaw, jealousy, paired with equally hamstringing low self-esteem.
"You're not understanding how these guys are looking at you," he tells Gabby, urging her against a better job because "guys will come in and hit on you."
Effusive, idealistic Gabby pooh-poohs his concerns, believing everything will improve once they're married. Still, she's not entirely oblivious to the problems (i.e., "You say the wrong word, and he loses it").
Eager for respite from COVID restraints, or maybe just wanting Gabby all to himself, Brian proposes a trip across the country, which Gabby romanticizes into "van life," complete with a blog, which she hopes will make her a monetizing influencer. Only she doesn't tell Brian about her project till they're well into their journey. Predictably, he's contemptuous of her efforts, and their squabbles turn violent.
"What is wrong with you? You always have to have something to fight about!" Gabby says, as we observe that her goodwill is finally fading. Yet she ignores the advice of her best friend, who tells her to simply come home.
That this everyday couple from Long Island become victims of a Shakespearean tragedy is just plain sad.
Clearly, Gabby's friend and family had hinted at their concerns, but politely respected her autonomy.
Women, pay attention to the warning signs, and act! Let's not give Lifetime more plotlines for movies like this!
The popular paperback "He's Just Not that Into You" advises women to take such signals seriously; wild horses couldn't stop a man with genuine interest from pursuing his woman of choice.
So this ill-fated couple starts off on the wrong foot, and, from the beginning, we wonder what it is in homely, diffident Brian that captures the interest and devotion of pretty, spirited Gabby.
The movie portrays Brian as possessing that green-eyed character flaw, jealousy, paired with equally hamstringing low self-esteem.
"You're not understanding how these guys are looking at you," he tells Gabby, urging her against a better job because "guys will come in and hit on you."
Effusive, idealistic Gabby pooh-poohs his concerns, believing everything will improve once they're married. Still, she's not entirely oblivious to the problems (i.e., "You say the wrong word, and he loses it").
Eager for respite from COVID restraints, or maybe just wanting Gabby all to himself, Brian proposes a trip across the country, which Gabby romanticizes into "van life," complete with a blog, which she hopes will make her a monetizing influencer. Only she doesn't tell Brian about her project till they're well into their journey. Predictably, he's contemptuous of her efforts, and their squabbles turn violent.
"What is wrong with you? You always have to have something to fight about!" Gabby says, as we observe that her goodwill is finally fading. Yet she ignores the advice of her best friend, who tells her to simply come home.
That this everyday couple from Long Island become victims of a Shakespearean tragedy is just plain sad.
Clearly, Gabby's friend and family had hinted at their concerns, but politely respected her autonomy.
Women, pay attention to the warning signs, and act! Let's not give Lifetime more plotlines for movies like this!