Name: Love Is in the Air
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Released: 2023-09-28T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Delta Goodrem, Joshua Sasse, Roy Billing, Steph Tisdell, Simon McLachlan

The seaplane’s engine sputters to life against the vibrant blue of the Great Barrier Reef, and we’re plunged into Love Is in the Air, Adrian Powers’ 2023 Australian romcom that tries its best to be a sun-soaked escape but mostly just idles on the tarmac. Delta Goodrem returns to the screen after a nearly two-decade hiatus as Dana Randall, a fiercely independent seaplane pilot fighting to keep her family’s business from crashing and burning. When corporate sends William Mitchell (Joshua Sasse) to ground her operation for good, sparks—predictably—fly.

Powers, who co-wrote and directed the film, seems determined to evoke the effortless charm of classic romcoms like Strictly Ballroom or the Turkish series Sen Çal Kapımı, but his efforts often feel more like a clumsy mimicry than a genuine homage. The film’s strongest asset is its setting: the aerial shots of Queensland’s coastline are breathtaking, and Powers uses them to establish a sense of freedom and adventure that grounds the story in something tangible. Goodrem, best known as a pop star, brings an undeniable energy to Dana, even if the character herself is about as deep as the seaplane’s fuel tank.

The chemistry between Goodrem and Sasse, however, is where the film stumbles hardest. Their banter feels forced, their romantic tension manufactured rather than organic. A key scene in which they share a drunken kiss after a bar fight is meant to be playful but comes off as awkwardly staged, undercutting any real emotional weight. The film’s attempts at humor often fall flat, relying too heavily on clichés and lazy tropes. A subplot involving Dana’s best friend Nikki (Steph Tisdell) feels particularly tacked-on, adding little to the story beyond unnecessary filler.

Where Love Is in the Air does find its footing is in its embrace of its genre. The final act, set against the backdrop of a local airshow, delivers some genuine thrills—both romantic and otherwise—as Powers finally lets the story take flight. A sequence in which Dana and William share a tandem seaplane ride offers a rare moment of quiet intimacy between the two leads, and the film’s visuals reach their peak here.

Goodrem’s performance is the film’s saving grace. She brings a likable determination to Dana, even if the character herself is as thinly drawn as the seaplane’s aluminum frame. Her chemistry with Roy Billing, who plays her father Jeff Randall, is the film’s most genuine and touching dynamic. Billing steals every scene he’s in, offering moments of warmth and humor that the rest of the film struggles to match.

The supporting cast, however, is a mixed bag. Joshua Sasse’s William Mitchell is serviceable but forgettable, lacking the charisma or depth needed to make his character truly compelling. Steph Tisdell’s Nikki feels underdeveloped, her role reduced to little more than comic relief. Daniela Pizzirani as Serena and Mia Grunwald as Michelle add some much-needed energy in their brief appearances, but their characters are ultimately sidelined.

Powers’ direction is competent but uninspired. He relies too heavily on predictable shot compositions and editing choices, failing to bring anything fresh or exciting to the table. The film’s pacing drags in the second act, as Dana and William’s will-they-won’t-they dance grows tiresome. A subplot involving a corporate takeover feels overly familiar, and the film’s attempts to inject social commentary fall flat.

Thematically, Love Is in the Air is a mixed bag. It touches on themes of family, independence, and the struggle between tradition and progress, but it never delves deep enough to say anything meaningful. The film’s message—that love can conquer all—is as predictable as it is hollow, undermined by a lack of substance in its characters and story.

The film’s technical aspects are solid but unremarkable. The cinematography is visually pleasing, with the Great Barrier Reef serving as a stunning backdrop, but it lacks the creativity or artistry to truly stand out. The score is forgettable, failing to enhance the film’s emotional beats in any meaningful way.

Love Is in the Air is a film that will likely appeal to fans of lighthearted romcoms and Goodrem’s music, but it offers little for those seeking something more substantial.