‘The Greatest Hits’ Review: Time Travel Rom-Com Misses The Mark

Have you ever stumbled upon a song that transported you through time? Maybe it evoked the nostalgia of a childhood dance or the exhilaration of your first concert. ‘The Greatest Hits’ takes this notion to the extreme. Following a tragic accident that claims her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet), Harriet (Lucy Boynton) discovers she’s plagued by a peculiar condition.

Certain sounds catapult her into her past, offering fleeting glimpses of cherished moments. With each nostalgic journey, Harriet desperately seeks a chance to rewrite history and alter Max’s fate.

Time travel and romance often go hand in hand, weaving intricate tales of love and loss. However, ‘The Greatest Hits,’ written and directed by Ned Benson, takes a different route. Rather than delving into the emotional complexities of its premise, the film relies heavily on tired romantic-comedy tropes, ultimately falling short of its potential.

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Harriet, portrayed as a grief-stricken recluse, navigates life in the shadow of her late boyfriend. Their once-shared apartment serves as a melancholic shrine, adorned with mementos of their relationship. Trapped in a cycle of sorrow, Harriet isolates herself, using her condition as a shield against moving forward.

The supporting characters, albeit well-intentioned, feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. Harriet’s circle consists of her concerned yet distant mother, her token sassy friend and her therapist, whose roles offer little depth beyond serving Harriet’s narrative.

Enter David (Justin H. Min), a charming young man grappling with his losses. As Harriet’s burgeoning romance with David unfolds, the film descends further into rom-com territory, diluting the urgency of her mission to save Max. However, the lack of chemistry between Boynton and Min leaves their relationship feeling forced and unconvincing.

Despite its promising premise, ‘The Greatest Hits’ falls short in execution. The character of Max remains largely elusive, reduced to a mere memory rather than a fully realized individual. As Harriet navigates her tangled emotions, the film fails to capture the depth and nuance of her journey.

While ‘The Greatest Hits’ offers glimpses of depth, its reliance on cliches and lacklustre characterisation ultimately detract from its emotional impact.