Is there any actor more synonymous with the rom-com than Meg Ryan? The beloved star has made her mark on the genre with classics such as When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, and she now returns to the screen with another earnest entry to the rom-com canon. What Happens Later, arriving in theaters this week after being postponed by another romance icon, Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour movie, marks Ryan’s first movie in eight years, and the second she has directed. In many ways, it feels like the perfect project to bring the actor/director/writer back to movie-making, with its simple setup paving the way for a timeless sort of story. What Happens Later isn’t without some hiccups in its execution, but with Ryan at the helm, it’s impossible not to feel charmed.
A major snowstorm forces a reunion between two ex-lovers: Free-spirited Willa (Ryan) and anxiety-prone Bill (David Duchovny). Both are headed in opposite directions, yet they’ve been grounded for an indeterminate amount of time due to what is dubbed the “storm of the century,” much to Willa’s bafflement. Though their initial meeting is awkward and riddled with the kind of small talk they hate, Willa and Bill are soon attached at the hip as they wander through the regional airport, catching up and excavating their late romance in equal measure.
What Happens Later is very much a two-hander between Ryan and Duchovny; the only other speaking part in the movie belongs to Hal Liggett as the airport’s loudspeaker voice, though he does get in a surprisingly sizable role. This is because the airport is essentially a third character within Willa and Bill’s journey, nudging them together through practically magical means. Early on, this brings a nice touch of whimsy to what would’ve otherwise been a rather bland setup, and it prompts plenty of laughter. There is a point, though, when What Happens Later leans a bit too much into the fantastical, and it could run the risk of losing some viewers. Based on the play Shooting Star by Steven Dietz, the movie is written by Dietz and Kirk Lynn, and Ryan. The dialogue between Willa and Bill flows easily, aided by the strength of Ryan and Duchovny’s performances.
There’s a genuine chemistry between the two actors, and their personalities, while never straying into caricature territory, are different enough that watching them bounce off each other is thrilling, even if all they’re doing is talking. What Happens Later feels like a play with its dialogue-heavy format, but Ryan knows how to pull at the heartstrings with even the simplest of interactions. Working with cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek and editor Jason Gourson, Ryan occasionally gives Willa and Bill’s conversations a fun flourish, such as letting the camera bounce back and forth between them during an argument. It’s clear the history between these two characters runs deep, but the script doesn’t give away answers quickly or easily. Things unfold gradually, leading to emotional revelations for both characters. What Happens Later doesn’t always handle the shifts between lighthearted and heavy feelings smoothly, but the winning duo at its center helps smooth over any awkwardness.
Ryan hasn’t lost any of the charisma that made her an iconic leading lady. Anyone who has enjoyed her previous work will get a thrill from seeing her back on the big screen, firing off quippy retorts and digging into Willa’s painful secrets. Duchovny is a great scene partner as Bill, offering the right amount of neuroticism to balance Willa’s playful nature. Plus, his wry line deliveries are genuinely funny. As with the airport magical realism, the relationship between Willa and Bill has some quirks that are occasionally too cutesy, such as the detail that they essentially have the same name: She’s Wilhelmina Davis, he’s William Davis, so they are both W. Davis. It’s contrived, though there’s more than enough charm elsewhere to make up for it.
Ryan makes no secret of how her late frequent collaborator Nora Ephron influenced her work on What Happens Later, as evidenced by a sweet tribute at the start of the credits. The airport-set romance isn’t perfect, at times getting lost in the fantastical flourishes. However, few know romantic comedies better than Ryan, and she gets the opportunity to stretch her acting and directorial muscles here to great success. It’s a delight to have her back, and one just hopes she doesn’t wait another eight years to make her next movie.
What Happens Later releases in theaters Friday, November 3. It is 103 minutes long and rated R for language, some sexual references, and brief drug use.
