Set It Up
| Set It Up | |
|---|---|
 Film release poster | |
| Directed by | Claire Scanlon |
| Written by | Katie Silberman |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Matthew Clark |
| Edited by | Wendy Greene Bricmont |
| Music by | Laura Karpman |
Production company | Treehouse Pictures |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release dates |
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Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Set It Up is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Claire Scanlon, written by Katie Silberman, and starring Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu. The plot follows two overworked assistants who try to set up their demanding bosses on dates in New York City. The film was released on June 15, 2018, by Netflix.
Plot
Harper (Zoey Deutch) is the 25-year-old assistant to Kirsten (Lucy Liu) a former journalist and now editor of an online sports journalism empire. Charlie (Glen Powell) is a 28-year-old assistant to the high-strung venture capitalist Rick (Taye Diggs). Both work in the same building and meet one night when their bosses need dinner. Harper has ordered dinner for herself and Kirsten but has no money to pay for it and Charlie, who was not able to order dinner for his boss because all the restaurants are closed, pays for it to give to Rick. After Harper tells him she will be fired if she doesn't return with food Charlie reluctantly allows her to take one of the meals.
Meeting Charlie the next day to reimburse him for the cost of the food, Harper expresses surprise that Charlie would work for such an abrasive and demanding boss. Charlie reveals that Rick is well-connected and a recommendation from him would guarantee his financial success. Harper expresses her deep admiration of Kirsten and her desire to write the sort of sports journalism that would make people cry. After complaining that they have no time for personal lives, Charlie jokes that both of their bosses need to get laid. Harper is initially disgusted by the comment, but after some thought agrees that she and Charlie should "Cyrano" their bosses, reasoning if they are dating each other they would have less time to overwork them. Charlie reluctantly joins in on the plan.
Their initial plot to have Rick and Kirsten "meet-cute" in a stalled elevator goes awry when they are joined by a delivery man suffering from claustrophobia who strips the second the elevator is stalled. Charlie and Harper then arrange for their bosses to sit beside each other at a baseball game, bribing the operator of the kiss-cam to pressure them into kissing. After three attempts, Rick and Kirsten kiss. They begin dating, leaving Charlie time to spend with his model girlfriend Suze, and Harper time to date.
However things between Rick and Kirsten quickly become bumpy causing Harper and Charlie to realize they must work hard to keep their bosses together. They plan dates, write apology notes, and manipulate the dates to coincide with events that Charlie and Harper want to attend. After organizing a weekend getaway for Rick and Kirsten, Harper is able to attend her best friend Becca's engagement party. When her date ditches her, Charlie goes with her and the two have an enjoyable night dancing and eating pizza.
After their vacation, Rick and Kirsten return and inform their assistants they are engaged. Harper and Charlie are thrilled by the news, but Charlie quickly learns that Rick proposed to Kirsten to aggravate his ex-wife whom he is still sleeping with. Charlie doesn't share the news with Harper, but she discovers it after accidentally hearing Rick having phone sex with his ex. She confronts Charlie with Rick's cheating and is disappointed to learn that he knew about it and that he plans to help manage Kirsten and Rick's marriage so the cheating remains a secret.
Harper goes to Kirsten and explains that she and Charlie manipulated them into dating. Harper tries to say that Rick is cheating with his ex-wife, but is unable to say this because Kirsten promptly fires her and plans to go on with the wedding.
Charlie takes Suze to an expensive restaurant and realizes they don't love each other. He breaks up with her and runs to the airport where he quits his job and tells Kirsten that Rick doesn't love her and doesn't know her at all. Kirsten realizes it's true and breaks up with Rick.
Harper goes through a crisis but eventually decides to start writing again. Charlie is approached by Rick who asks for his help reuniting with his ex-wife whom he actually still cares for. Charlie turns over a folder he has on Rick's ex-wife.
Kirsten calls Harper back to her office and offers to hire her back, but Harper refuses, telling her she needs to focus on her writing. Kirsten offers to help edit her article.
As she is leaving, Harper sees Charlie who has been called there by Kirsten. They realize that Kirsten is attempting to set them up. Charlie reveals that he quit his job and now works as a temp. The two of them realize they have many reasons to dislike each other and yet they are still attracted to each other. The film ends with the two sharing a kiss, after realizing how much they care for each other.
Cast
- Zoey Deutch as Harper Moore, Kirsten's assistant
- Glen Powell as Charlie Young, Rick's assistant
- Lucy Liu as Kirsten Stevens, Harper's boss
- Taye Diggs as Richard "Rick" Otis, Charlie's boss
- Joan Smalls as Suze, Charlie's girlfriend
- Meredith Hagner as Becca, Harper's engaged roommate
- Pete Davidson as Duncan, Charlie's roommate
- Jon Rudnitsky as Mike, Becca's fiance
- Titus Burgess as Creepy Tim, janitor
- Noah Robbins as Intern Bo
- Jaboukie Young-White as Assistant Alex
Production
In February 2016, it was announced Emilia Clarke had been cast in the film, with Katie Silberman writing the film, while Justin Nappi and Juliet Berman producing the film under their TreeHouse Pictures banner, while Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was originally set to distribute the film.[1] In March 2017, it was announced Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell had joined the cast of the film, with Deutch replacing Clarke, Claire Scanlon directing from a screenplay written by Katie Silberman. Netflix eventually replaced Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as the film's distributor.[2] In June 2017, Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu and Joan Smalls joined the cast of the film.[3][4][5]
Filming
Principal photography began in June 2017 in New York City.[6]
Release
The film was released on June 15, 2018.[7]
Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 89% based on 44 reviews, and an average rating of 6.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Set It Up follows the long-established outlines of the rom-com template -- and in the process, proves there's still substantial pleasure to be wrought from familiar formulas."[8] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 61 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[9]
Possible sequel
Scanlon had said in interviews that she has ideas for a possible sequel should Netflix schedule one.[10]
References
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 18, 2016). "MGM Eyes 'Game Of Thrones' Emilia Clarke For Katie Silberman Spec 'Set It Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 30, 2017). "Zoey Deutch to Star With Glen Powell in Netflix's Romantic Comedy 'Set It Up' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (June 5, 2017). "Taye Diggs Joins Zoey Deutch in Netflix Comedy 'Set It Up' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ Busch, Anita (June 14, 2017). "Lucy Liu Joins Netflix Comedy Feature 'Set it Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (June 20, 2017). "Joan Smalls To Make Acting Debut In Netflix Film 'Set It Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Waddell, Lily (June 15, 2017). "Making the cut! Zoey Deutch flashes a hint of skin in denim cutaway dress before donning a floral number as she films Set It Up in New York City". The Daily Mail. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ Trumbone, Dave (April 9, 2018). "Here Are All of Netflix's Original Movies Coming This Summer". Collider. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ "Set It Up (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ "Set It Up Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ Rawden, Jessica (July 9, 2017). "Netflix's Set It Up Director Already Has Ideas For A Sequel". CinemaBlend. Retrieved July 11, 2018.