“¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!” [According to Ravi, “Indians love Taco Bell!”]

Genre: Adorable Accidental Romance
Release Date: 2022
Where I Watched: Netflix

Gist: Asha has it all; great job, fabulous apartment, and the best hair ever. She’s also got a mom who wants to see her married Right Now. So mom creates an online profile for Asha, and to stop the inevitable craziness? Asha makes a deal to fake a relationship with Ravi, a guy who also wants to be left alone by his dad and all those prying Aunties. I mean, it’s not like they’re gonna fall in love with each other in three months. Right?

Talky talk: I’m a sucker for all things related to Indian weddings. Reality shows that focus on getting those lavish nuptials off the ground? Yes, please. Matchmakers that gather wannabe grooms and brides (and their families)? I’ve got my popcorn. Caste and generational fireworks? *grabby hands* So when Season popped up on Netflix this weekend, I had to check it out. And it was exactly what I wanted on a chill Sunday afternoon; a light and airy confection that spins together enemies-to-lovers, familial pressures, and intriguing subplots that don’t overstay their welcome. Season is the rom-com you’ll want to check out whenever you’re feeling like a love story that doesn’t focus on sap, but has plenty of sweetness. Think of it as the perfect rice pudding; not too sweet, a touch of spice to liven things up, and a softness that lets you sink into it like a cloud. Oh great, now I want rice pudding. DAGNABIT.

The dialogue flows well, thanks to a stellar cast, and a story that’s chock full of believable dialogue and a plot that glides along swimmingly. Season is Shiwani Srivastava’s first screenplay, and if this is her coming out of the gate? I cannot wait to see what else she’s got in store. Director Tom Dey bests his last rom-com – the so-so-at-best Failure To Launch – and delivers a film that has dysfunctional families that do crazy things, but still have enough heart and soul to keep them extremely likeable. The three month timeframe is condensed by montage-palooza, but in the case of characters who are going through a slew of weddings in that time, that’s the best way to go about it. (I did enjoy how the countdown to the end of the season was easily tracked by how many invitations were still hanging up in various characters’ homes.)

The tropes are thick and heavy here, but the performers make their characters so gosh-darn likeable I couldn’t help but be swept away in their personal trials and successes. Shout out to an extremely game Sean Kleier as Asha’s soon-to-be brother-in-law Nick, and Arianna Afsar as Asha’s sister (and grounding force) Priya. As for the leads? If you told me that Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma – aka Asha and Ravi – were dating IRL? I’d believe you, based on the way the two performers are so comfortable and cute whenever they’re onscreen together. Bee-tee-dub, you have seen Sharma before; he was the one who wasn’t the tiger in Life of Pi. You’re welcome.

So get yourself some popcorn, put your feet up, and enjoy. Season is visual comfort food that was made for re-watching. Butin order to do that? You’ve gotta hit play.

Come for: That gorgeous Indian wedding art direction of awesomeness, and Asha’s great wardrobe.
Stay for: Truly sweet family interactions, Asha and Priya’s #SiblingGoals, and happy endings all around.