Watch Love Hard

Love Hard is a romantic comedy movie released in 2021, directed by Hernán Jiménez and written by Danny Mackey, Rebecca Ewing and the director himself. The movie follows the story of a hopeless romantic girl, LA-based journalist Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrev), who is struggling to find a meaningful relationship in her life, in spite of trying out various dating apps. Frustrated with getting unmatched or ghosted time and again, she decides to take a chance on a guy she meets online, Josh Lin (Jimmy O. Yang), who seems to be the perfect match for her.

Natalie and Josh share a lot of common interests and values, and the two hit off instantly. However, when Natalie travels to Josh's hometown in Lake Placid to surprise him for Christmas, she realizes that Josh was not being completely honest with her about his looks, which is where the plot takes a fun twist. Instead of the tall, dark, and handsome man that she thought she was meeting, Josh turns out to be a short, pale and nerdy computer programmer, who had borrowed his handsome roommate's pictures and profile to catfish her.

Though initially disappointed and furious with Josh, Natalie decides to give him a chance and they end up spending the week together, getting to know each other better. Along the way, Natalie gets to experience the cozy Christmas traditions of Lake Placid and with the help of Josh's family and friends, they create some beautiful memories together.

Throughout the movie, the bond between Natalie and Josh grows stronger, as they navigate through various trials and tribulations, including Natalie's ex-boyfriend and Josh's roommate, Tag (Darren Barnet). Tag, who is initially jealous of Josh's sudden romantic success, tries to sabotage their relationship, but later realizes the errors of his ways and becomes an unlikely ally for the couple.

Love Hard is a contemporary take on the classic formula of romantic comedies, and it offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities of modern dating. The movie balances humor, romance, and heart, featuring strong performances from the leads, particularly Nina Dobrev, who exudes charm and warmth throughout the movie. Jimmy O. Yang's portrayal of the awkward yet endearing Josh provides an excellent contrast to Natalie's extroverted personality and helps to make their chemistry believable.

The movie is shot beautifully, with the wintry landscapes of Lake Placid providing a stunning backdrop to the story. The music is also a highlight of the movie, with a mix of classic and contemporary Christmas songs that add to the overall festive vibe of the film.

Apart from the romance between the lead characters, Love Hard also explores the themes of acceptance, honesty, and forgiveness. The movie shows how it is possible to find love even in unexpected situations and with people who are not always perfect, a message that resonates in today's age of online dating and social media.

In conclusion, Love Hard is a charming and entertaining movie that is sure to delight audiences, especially those who enjoy romantic comedies. With its well-written script, witty dialogue, and compelling performances, it proves to be a heartwarming festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season.

Love Hard is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 42.