More Friendship Than Romance? Review Of Picture This (2025)
My weekend was the kind where I just lounged around after a tiring week that nearly wore me out. What better way to relax and calm my head than with a romcom. An action movie could have been relaxing too but once I saw Simone Ashley on the poster, I decided why not a romcom.
As I've written many times in my reviews, the cast matters. There needs to be a familiar face in the cast line up to catch my attention and make me want to watch the movie. In this recent release, Picture This (2025), it's the lovely Simone Ashley. After her fine performance in Bridgerton Season 2 and 3, I couldn't resist watching her latest work.
As a remake of the Australian romcom, Five Blind Dates, this movie follows Pia (Simone Ashley), a young photographer determined to stay single and maintain her independence but her mother has other plans. She shows Pia and her sister, Sonal, valuable jewels in a safe deposit box that they can access only when they get married.
But Pia is in a tight spot. Her portrait studio is going broke and she has a lot of bills to settle. The jewels can save her business but she doesn’t want to get married. Her family decides to step in by setting her up on five blind dates. Which one of the dates will be “the one”?
Review
Unlike Five Blind Dates, this movie goes beyond the generic to explore the plot through a mix of English and Indian cultures. I'm not a fan of Indian movies but when I see films that blend cultures, I don't mind watching. It's often entertaining. Also, the plot of this movie is not bad—just okay—but the storytelling falls slightly below expectations. It's marketed as a romcom but we got more of the laughs than the romance.
No doubt Simone Ashley is a compelling actress but I feel her role in this movie didn't do her much justice. As Pia, she must land a date from among the five blind dates in time for her sister's wedding. She has a gay best friend who doubles as her staff at the photo studio. When her sister's best man turns out to be her ex, she's a little confused. This plot is captivating and the audience is on the edge of their seat eagerly waiting for the swooning romance. We are disappointed.
Rather than give us more screen time with the romantic couple, the director focuses more on the other aspects of the movie. More screen time is spent on Sonal's wedding, Pia's dates and photo studio while the romantic couple, Pia and Charlie (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), share barely three or four scenes together. By the final scene, they are reunited in love which feels rushed and awkward.
Simone and Hero's chemistry is practically nonexistent or probably forced. In contrast, her relationship with her gay best friend is more authentic and the viewers can mistake them for the lead couple. Their friendship, shared vulnerable moments, laughs and energy feel real and saves this film from being a flop, in my opinion. I wish the director had put more thought into developing Hero's character as she did the gay best friend.
The cast's performances are excellent. It's nice to see Ashley in another sister role since she played something similar in the Bridgerton series. Hero Fiennes Tiffin is cool as always but sadly we don't see much of him in action. The Indian wedding ceremony and costumes are mesmerising as expected.
Overall, Picture This is a fine and entertaining movie that's worth a one-time watch. If you want a light-hearted romcom for a weekend watch, I'd recommend this. I'd give it 2.5 stars out of 5.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Thumbnail Image, Fair Use
Other images are screenshots from the movie
Posted using CineTV
I loved here so much in bridgerton can't wait to see this movie 🍿🍿
I’ve been seeing clips of this movie everywhere. I guess this is my cue to see it. Thanks for sharing with us.