The Wasteland Reviewer

Charlie Harper (2026) Written Review

What is the most timeless type of story in film? Romance. A loving connection between two human beings has been the subject of films for over 100 years. This is a deeply human experience that is relatable to so many people. But relationships are challenging and love is not always enough. With so many films being released in theaters right now, a new romance can go under the radar. The directorial duo of Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge bring their first feature effort to the big screen to wrap up September in the form of Charlie Harper. Charlie and Harper are a pair of young lovers who seem like they are destined to be together, but love isn’t always enough. 

What journey does Dean take Charlie and Harper on in this screenplay? First off, Dean leans into the nonlinear storytelling to present this romance. Honestly, it never truly feels necessary, and it feels more like a gimmick. But the film soldiers through unnecessary story structure because there is plenty of depth in the romance and connection between our two protagonists. You see the couple come together at a fresh point in their lives and that love stands tall above everything else. One of the most effective threads in the film is the exploration of work and life balance. Harper goes through a whole journey on her own with her exploits to become a chef. There is plenty of drama and tension in those elements of the film. Then you have Charlie who is struggling to find his path in life which is in stark contrast with Harper’s growth. Charlie has his own demons (including alcoholism) that add to the drama of the film. The one big frustration related to writing is the dialogue. There are moments throughout the film where you can tell that Dean is attempting to clearly start some large ideas and deliver serious weight to the experience. But often it feels like it is grasping dramatically and feels melodramatic. 

How about the filmmaking from behind the camera? You might expect a certain type of tone for a romantic drama like Charlie Harper, but Dean and Eldridge subvert those expectations. This is a film full of emotional weight that hangs above the whole cinematic experience. There is a seriousness that makes the emotional elements of the film have a powerful resonance. The music by composer Paul Leonard-Morgan is heavy and emotive, which underlies the entire experience in a poignant way. With the unevenness of the story structure, there are some pacing issues with the film. This is a film that has a solid runtime of 102 minutes but there are some sequences and stretches that see the energy of the film start to wane. From a visual standpoint, Charlie Harper has a grounded and textured atmosphere that reinforces the humanistic approach to the story and the emotions. There are plenty of moments that feel so intimate because of the specific choices made by cinematographer Sharone Meir. A type of film that could have easily fallen into melodrama and cheese, Charlie Harper luckily keeps its weight and maturity intact.

What (or which) elements make Charlie Harper so effective? The duo of Nick Robinson and Emilia Jones proves to be quite dynamic. If you don’t have two actors who come to play with a story like this one, you are going to have a flawed and weak execution. Robinson has been around for quite a while but seems to be flying under that radar at this point. Admittedly, there are a few moments that it is hard to fully buy Robinson as a grown man dealing with alcoholism. But there is just a strong charisma that he brings to every role (including this one) that resonates so well. It is hard to avoid this magnetic presence in the film which makes sense why Harper continues to float around this relationship. Jones is a wonderful performer who finds such depth and humanism in her performances. As Harper, there is a range of emotions she experiences including the internal tug-of-war around being with Charlie. Jones injects heart and soul into this character which makes her so empathetic and engaging. The chemistry between the two careers is this film through the uneven structure and pacing as they keep the audience engaged and connected. The rest of the cast does well with supporting turns from Jonathan Gregg, Jessica Blackmore, Kareemah Muhammad, and Ja-Quan Monroe-Henderson filling out this emotional journey. 

Is Charlie Harper the under-the-radar drama to start the fall movie season? Dean and Eldridge’s film will not wow you with unique and fresh narrative elements. Where it lacks in originality, Charlie Harper thrives on raw emotion and its two strong leads. The presentation is the type that is not flashy but is one that deeps the film and gives it a more humanistic perspective. Get ready for plenty of feelings when you check out this new drama.