By the end of this familial drama about life and love, it is clear which side of this debate writer director Josh Boone is on.

Stuck In Love spans a year in the lives of a family of bookworms – famed author Bill (Greg Kinnear); the ex wife he still loves (Connelly); daughter Samantha, whose first novel is about to be published; and teen Rusty (Nat Wolff) who’s making his first dalliances with the opposite sex – as they navigate relationships and love. 

This could have been a god awful indie take on Valentine’s Day, with too many characters and wistful glances, and precious little actual content. But first-time filmmaker Boone has made a debut that is shrewdly observant, darkly comic and more than a little hopeful as the relationships blossom. 

Drawing on his own parents’ divorce when he was a youth, personal insights abound, especially in romantic yet naive Rusty. Boone’s smart script offers up a new take on dysfunctional families, too, and many a sharp exchange, especially between Sam and her quick-witted verbal-sparring partner Lou, who forces her to question her “avoid love at all costs” scepticism. 

There’s also solid performances across the board from a team of up and coming talent – Cole and Lerman especially are ones to watch – and a hip indie-rock soundtrack rounds out the underground cool kudos. An impressive debut. 

Good for: Bringing out the romantic in the most sceptical relationship realist

Starring: Lily Collins, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Logan Lerman | 15 | 96mins