It’s true when they say the golden era of rom-coms was largely left behind in the early 2000s. So when I came across the trailer for Office Romance, it sparked an excitement I hadn’t felt in a long time - maybe not since the announcement of the long-awaited sequel to The Devil Wears Prada.
@netflixde Not me, wie ich diesen Trailer auf der Arbeit schaue, neben meinem Work Crush. Office Romance, mit Jennifer Lopez und Brett Goldstein, ab 5. Juni. #OfficeRomance #JenniferLopez #BrettGoldstein #WhatToWatch ♬ original sound - NetflixDE
Of course, experience has taught us not to trust trailers completely. Hollywood has mastered the art of stitching together the best bits to lure us in, only for the final product to sometimes disappoint. So I tried to manage my expectations. And oh boy - thankfully, Office Romance not only met them, it exceeded them.
The film stars Jennifer Lopez, who is no stranger to romantic comedies, alongside Brett Goldstein, a face many will recognise from Ted Lasso. Goldstein also happens to be the co-writer of the film and has mentioned in an interview with Netflix that the role was written specifically with Lopez in mind.
Lopez plays Jackie Cruz, the powerful CEO of Air Cruz, an airline company she inherited and now runs with an iron fist. Jackie is fiercely ambitious, uncompromising, and has one strict rule within her company: no workplace relationships. Enter Daniel Blanchflower (Goldstein), a charming British lawyer brought in to help navigate a growing corporate crisis.
From their very first interactions, the chemistry is impossible to ignore. As the two spend more time together, professional boundaries begin to blur and an unexpected romance develops. Things become even more complicated when Jackie faces allegations that a business deal was influenced by an inappropriate relationship, placing both her reputation and company at risk.
@netflix the end credit scene was everything #officeromance ♬ original sound - Netflix
The movie has everything you could want from a great rom-com: perfect timing, humour, undeniable chemistry, the loyal sidekick who doesn’t quite approve of the relationship, and of course, the happily-ever-after we all secretly show up for. Thankfully, it doesn’t leave us hanging with a cliffhanger, something many modern romantic comedies seem oddly committed to. Films often try to mirror the realities of today’s dating landscape a little too closely, as if romance on screen has to come with a disclaimer. But sometimes, we don’t want reality. Our lives already give us enough of that. Sometimes we want the fantasy. We want the fairytale. We want grand gestures, sweeping romances, and a love story that actually works out in the end - and that’s exactly what Office Romance delivers.
One other thing that really stood out about Office Romance is its supporting cast - it’s a hilariously chaotic, scene-stealing bunch in the best way. Beyond Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein, the film is filled with characters who keep things moving, laughing, and occasionally spiralling in the most entertaining way possible.
What also feels refreshing is how intentionally inclusive the cast is. There’s representation across the queer community, people of colour, and actors with disabilities, all woven into the story in a way that feels natural rather than performative. Nobody feels like they’ve been added in as an “extra moment”, they’re just part of the world, which is exactly how it should be.
And in a time where mainstream screens can still feel overly polished or one-dimensional in their casting choices, Office Romance quietly leans into something more honest. It reflects the reality that workplaces, friendships and love stories don’t come in one “look” or lived experience. Instead, it celebrates a mix of voices and personalities that feel grounded, current, and recognisable.
@netflix Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein's first on-camera meeting 📷 #officeromance premieres this Friday. #OfficeRomanceNetflix ♬ original sound - Netflix
With every new release, there will always be critics - and there’s nothing we can do about that. Was Office Romance a perfect 10/10 film? No. But was it enjoyable, charming, and deeply nostalgic? Absolutely. Audiences have largely embraced its throwback energy and return to the golden age of rom-com storytelling. For me, that’s where its magic lies. It reminded me why I fell in love with romantic comedies in the first place, and why they were my favourite genre growing up.
As a South African, it even took me back to those “Chick Flick Thursday” nights from eTV, wrapped in a blanket, sitting with my big sister, completely invested in whatever love story was unfolding on screen.
And perhaps that’s why it hit differently. Watching it now, years later, with my little brother beside me, felt like a full-circle moment. When the credits rolled, I tried to downplay it a bit and said, “That was a nice movie.” He turned to me and said: “That was a damn good movie.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
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