Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Love Potion No. 9’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

It’s quite amazing to see just how popular nostalgia is becoming anymore when it comes to film and television. Everything old is new again and everywhere you turn, memories from yesteryear are popping up left and right. Sometimes it happens when you settle in to watch a reimagining or reboot of those classic stories. Other times it’s a wave of merchandise you see in a store from that special tale and sometimes…you flat out live the experience one more time.
 
One wonderful way to accomplish that is by way of cable television. Out of the blue it seems movies and shows that I thought were long forgotten are suddenly popping up on every channel imaginable and one such film that I had completely forgotten about showed up on my cable guide the other night and since I had fond memories of seeing it back in the day, I thought it would be fun to settle in and watch Love Potion No. 9 once again and well…this is not the plucky fun film that I remember it being.
 
For those unfamiliar with the film, the plot for this one is simple. This movie introduces us to a pair of scientists named Paul and Diane, who are extremely unlucky in love. Even though they are clearly 100% compatible with one another, they still struggle to find romantic happiness in this world and one day Paul is coerced by his friends to visit a fortune teller who gives him a love potion that should solve all of his problems. Paul of course thinks little of this because potions are magic not science, but when he sees that this potion actually works…he and Diane discover its scientific secrets and set out to see exactly what wonders this chemical compound can accomplish in the everyday world...

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​Now if that plot seems a little dry, you’re correct, because Love Potion No. 9 had all the potential in the world to tell an amazing story, but it squandered away every opportunity to do so. For example, it's a little too heavy on the science. Everything about this compound is dissected and explained to the audience and well that just seems unnecessary. It eats up a fair chunk of the film that could have been dedicated to comedy and shenanigans and while we get those elements, by the time the fun stuff starts and Diane and Paul begin to uncover the power of this potion and discover their love for one another…you’re already drawn out of the story and simply watching to get your money’s worth.
 
It’s a shame because as I mentioned before, I distinctly recall enjoying this film years ago and really what it boils down to is one glaring issue; the fact that this is a film filled to the brim with completely unlikeable characters. No joke, there is not one redeemable human being in this picture. Paul and Diane are only in it for themselves for most the film and they use the potion for their own personal gain every single chance they get. It makes their love story feel tacked on and silly and when all is said and done, you simply cannot relate to these characters or care about their plight.
 
But, it’s not all gloom and doom for this motion picture. As I mentioned before, at times, the movie does have its moments and there are some genuinely funny scenes to be found here, just not enough of them to save the story from these selfish and outright vapid characters. If anything, Love Potion No. 9 is a great way to simply kill some time if you find it on cable and there’s nothing else on. But sadly, it is a forgettable film, one that could have been something great if it had provided us with something other than a jilted and cynical love story.  

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