This is a classic case of an interesting concept being followed by an extremely formulaic story. Why not explore what kinds of consequences the existence of such a company would entail? Are these licensed therapists? If not, how is it ethical? If so, how is it different from traditional therapy? What if they try to maximize profits? What if they act discriminatory? Instead, this movie provides awful music, shallow dialogue, flat jokes and uninspired cinematography and editing.

This is a classic case of an interesting concept being followed by an extremely formulaic story. Why not explore what kinds of consequences the existence of such a company would entail? Are these licensed therapists? If not, how is it ethical? If so, how is it different from traditional therapy? What if they try to maximize profits? What if they act discriminatory? Instead, this movie provides awful music, shallow dialogue, flat jokes and uninspired cinematography and editing.

Boringggg

Boringggg

It’s interesting to see what romcoms in other countries look like, especially contemporary romcom. While light on both the “rom” and the “com” a bit, The Heartbreak Agency has an interesting enough central concept which doesn’t feel as prevalent as it should be, despite still being present for most of the film. The titular Heartbreak Agency is indeed designed to help people work their way through heartbreak. Messy divorces, bad breakups, loss of a partner, the agency covers it all. When a journalist is broken up with, he goes to the agency and then writes a scathing article about it when he doesn’t get what he wants out of it, still affected by the breakup. The article itself is deemed sexist and provides us with an instance of cancel culture gone wrong, as he loses his job and is unable to find work afterwards. His only hope to get his job back is to go back to The Heartbreak Agency, write a new article about it that also actually touches on how to move on after heartache. 

That alone could’ve provided some comedy, but that is mostly dropped. What could have been something to set up a series of mishaps where he has to hide his intent throughout while still getting close to the film’s designated romantic lead - the agency’s therapist - isn’t explored at all. His intentions are made known early on. The bad advice he gives the other members of the heartbreak group could’ve led to a fun series of hilarious misfires, but that only really pans out for a single character, and even then that is kneecapped by the payoff of the setup never following through.

That being said, the relationship between the writer and the therapist - both cynics in their own way - is charming to see and does give a solid enough backbone for the third act. It’s not amazing, but still interesting enough to keep me engaged.

It’s interesting to see what romcoms in other countries look like, especially contemporary romcom. While light on both the “rom” and the “com” a bit, The Heartbreak Agency has an interesting enough central concept which doesn’t feel as prevalent as it should be, despite still being present for most of the film. The titular Heartbreak Agency is indeed designed to help people work their way through heartbreak. Messy divorces, bad breakups, loss of a partner, the agency covers it all. When a journalist is broken up with, he goes to the agency and then writes a scathing article about it when he doesn’t get what he wants out of it, still affected by the breakup. The article itself is deemed sexist and provides us with an instance of cancel culture gone wrong, as he loses his job and is unable to find work afterwards. His only hope to get his job back is to go back to The Heartbreak Agency, write a new article about it that also actually touches on how to move on after heartache. 

That alone could’ve provided some comedy, but that is mostly dropped. What could have been something to set up a series of mishaps where he has to hide his intent throughout while still getting close to the film’s designated romantic lead - the agency’s therapist - isn’t explored at all. His intentions are made known early on. The bad advice he gives the other members of the heartbreak group could’ve led to a fun series of hilarious misfires, but that only really pans out for a single character, and even then that is kneecapped by the payoff of the setup never following through.

That being said, the relationship between the writer and the therapist - both cynics in their own way - is charming to see and does give a solid enough backbone for the third act. It’s not amazing, but still interesting enough to keep me engaged.