Spoiler Alert – A Cute Yet Unoriginal Tragic Romcom

Representation matters and continues to become increasingly prominent across pop culture so much so that audiences in 2022 are treated to not one but two studio gay romance films. For those who prefer things on the raunchy side, then Bros may be for them but for those who prefer things on the more serious and heartfelt side, then Spoiler Alert may be for them. Based on the book ‘Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies’ by famed television journalist Michael Ausiello, the film does not bring much to the table while playing out like a lot of tragic romcoms (The Big Sick is one that immediately comes to mind). However, what truly sets this film apart albeit slightly, is its heart and sensational lead performances from Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge. Straddling the line between pure romcom energy and drama, perhaps veering a little too much towards melodrama to establish the latter, the film works better as a drama as the sudden tone shift wasn’t quite seamless. Despite playing like other tragic romcoms for the most part, as mentioned, where it excels is the way it hits those emotional notes as it rushes towards the very ending that the film itself foreshadows at the beginning.

Spoiler Alert tells the story of Michael Ausiello (Parsons) and his relationship with photographer Kit Cowan (Aldridge) from the beginning up until the untimely passing of the latter from terminal cancer. The story of how they first met is pretty standard fare as Kit helped Michael come out of his shell and gave him someone he can open up to and vice versa. A fear to commit on the side of Michael and a fear of commitment on the side of Kit perhaps made them perfect for each other. Consumed by work and insecurity stemming from his childhood, he wasn’t ready to make that kind of connection. Kit lived on casual hookups that required little to no emotional investment and had not yet shared with his parents that he was gay. Finding each other out of sheer luck, there was just something about this relationship that felt different. While each had their flaws, Michael and Kit were cute to watch together as the film got interesting as it dove deeper into its characters. Though not treading new territory good or bad, what sets the film apart is what it does with them. Instead of just being a character in Michael’s story, Kit was just as strong of a character who played a vital role.

Instead of spending more time with Michael and Kit, the film seemed more focused on rushing to the moment that everyone knew was coming whether they saw the beginning of the film or not. With that, came a predictable change in tone to reflect the mood. However, they didn’t quite fit together. As the film eventually got over that, it was ultimately at its best during this stage as Kit’s parents Marilyn (Field) and Bob (Bill Irwin) were more involved in the story. Despite his condition and the issues that came with it, Michael and Kit persisted as the former continued to take care of him while Kit’s parents hung around. The four made a formidable foursome who were cute to watch together as they spent more time together. Meanwhile, Kit’s worsening condition also added tension and stakes to the story as he could potentially go at any moment. Finding love for the first time, Michael took it particularly hard but through this experience, he found the strength to move forward and learn to love again. Those final few scenes between Michael and Kit and the culmination of their arcs definitely packed a wallop. In spite of a rather ordinary lead-up, it was the many emotional moments along the way that made the difference.

In the end, the best part of Spoiler Alert was those aforementioned spectacular performances from Parsons and Aldridge as Michael and Kit. Not bringing much to the table narratively, their chemistry made it standout in what was a story of love and loss. A pair of flawed characters, they made them more relatable and compelling to watch as their relationship felt more real. Each had their chance to show off some range and were up for the challenge as the film saw them taken through the ringer. Field and Irwin were a delight as Marilyn and Bob Cowan. The chemistry between all four added to the journey.

At the end of the day, Spoiler Alert may not bring anything new to the table but for what it lacks, it makes up for in emotion and for many, that will be more than enough.

*still courtesy of Focus Features*

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.