You know, now that we think about it, the post-Fox era of Searchlight Pictures has actually been somewhat of a resounding success. Sure, there were some early stumbles (Downhill, for one), but the artsy-niche side of Disney’s media empire has had two Oscar winners — including one for Best Picture back in 2021 — and a host of good releases since then. Why, then, does it feel like their best output is still getting second-class treatment from the House of Mouse? Take, for instance, Raine Allen-Miller’s lovely little romcom Rye Lane, which was a gem in the studded crown of this year’s Sundance line-up. It’s a witty and charming tale of two lovelorn goofballs finding romance with each other, and was a hit with the crowds there. But, of course, it’s headed to Hulu, and presumably because there wasn’t any room left for it after they spent all that money on trying to convince people to see Empire of Light. Oy vey. Anyhow, Searchlight dropped a trailer for the film earlier on Monday and we think you’ll get a good giggle out of it.
Peep it:
Here’s a synopsis (though you could always be a real one and click on this link to our review from Sundance back in January):
“Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson), two 20-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.”
You won’t have to wait very long to check Rye Lane out — it’ll hit Hulu on March 31. It’s kind of crazy they waited until after Valentine’s Day to drop this movie, but whatever. It’s still good, and we’re sure it’ll still grab eyeballs even if it has no connection to spicy corn chips. Or corn crisps, that is, if we’re sticking with the King’s. Funny how a famous director, a meme-able subject, and a decent audience reaction at a festival can change a distribution strategy, huh?