Megan Stalter shines as Jessica, a 30-something navigating life in Too Much, the new Netflix romantic comedy from Lena Dunham and Luis Felber.

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Netflix

At first glance, the Netflix rom-com, Too Much, feels like familiar territory. Jessica, portrayed by the wonderfully comedic Megan Stalter (known for her role as Kayla in Hacks), is reeling from a painful split with her less-than-stellar boyfriend, who has since moved on with an Instagram influencer. Seeking a change of scenery from her sister (played by series co-creator Lena Dunham), mother (Rita Wilson), and grandmother (Rhea Perlman), Jess takes a job in London producing a high-profile Christmas commercial. It’s there she meets Felix (Will Sharpe), a musician, and they embark on a complicated “situationship,” both burdened by their respective emotional baggage. It seems like a simple story of a new adventure leading to new complications.

However, as with any genre piece, the success hinges on the execution. Stalter excels as a rom-com lead, striking a balance between comedic silliness – finding herself in classic comedic predicaments – and grounded vulnerability, making her emotions relatable and genuine. Jess’s obsession with Wendy (played by Emily Ratajkowski), her ex’s new girlfriend, stems not from envy but from resentment towards Wendy’s seemingly effortless online persona, a stark contrast to the struggles Jess knows are inherent in life.

It’s important to note that this is a genuine romantic comedy, embracing the genre’s conventions rather than trying to deconstruct or “elevate” it. The “meet-cute,” in particular, is flawlessly executed.

Will Sharpe and Megan Stalter as the leads, Felix and Jessica

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