Set It Up: A Charming New Netflix Comedy in the Workplace

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Sometimes if you’re in for the night, a funny comedy hits the spot. All things you may find in this workplace comedy. One of Netflix’s new titles available to stream under their “Netflix original” banner is the romantic-comedy Set It Up. With its cheerful heroine and snappy wit, it’s imperfect but also really entertaining!

Set It Up (2018) Review: A Charming New Netflix Comedy in the Workplace

The story is all set into motion when two overworked assistants, Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) meet (in what is, an adorably cute meet-cute by the way). Harper is desperate to present to her boss the dinner she expects (preferably ten minutes ago). Only trouble is, she doesn’t have her wallet, and the delivery guy is not having it. Into the office lobby strolls Charlie, who is also desperate to find food for his demanding boss. The difference is, Charlie has cash.

Set It Up: A Charming New Netflix Comedy in the Workplace. Review of the 2018 comedy with #GlenPowell from #Netflix. Share on X

What started as a not so friendly first impression soon turns into one of Harper’s brilliant ideas. You see, she decides that with Charlie’s help, the two of them are going to set up their demanding bosses. If they can nudge these two people towards a potential romance then maybe Harper and Charlie could get a life outside of work! Of course, as is the case in all romantic comedies, nothing ever goes as planned.

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This is easily one of the most entertaining romantic comedies I’ve seen in recent years. It has that “it” quality that some films never manage to capture. Of course, much of this is owing to the cast. In addition to the fantastic performances from Zoey and Glen, Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs co-star as the bosses, and everyone is superb. But it’s perhaps Zoey Deutch who shines brightest. Her Harper is without question one of the most likable leading ladies in recent rom-com history. Not only is she smart, she’s funny and her cute awkward personality is lovable. This makes her universally relatable, which in turn makes her feel like a best friend.

Like many films, however, Set it Up does have flaws. There’s some scripting I don’t love, but it’s also the kind of film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I love this. In spite of the flaws, the script is sassy and sharp (and contains some truthful gems of wisdom), and the workplace setting lends to the overall hustle-bustle of the story. Before five minutes pass, the story drew me in, and I could appreciate the clever story the script sets up. It’s the witty nature of the story that keeps things moving, but it’s the characters who keep us invested.

If you like romantic-comedies with likable characters (and yes I loved Powell before he was America’s sweetheart), this one is worth a night in. It’s Devil Wears Prada with more romantic angles. Unlike some dreaded first meetings, Set It Up is one “set up” I’m happy to be coaxed into.

You can stream Set it Up exclusively on Netflix.

Content: this one does have some crude sexual content, and conversation. There’s also some profanity, including 1-2 uses of the F-word. Set it Up rates TV-14 or TV-MA now.

Photo: Netflix