‘MAINTENANCE REQUIRED’ IS A FUN ONE BUT WON’T REINVENT ROMANCE
Back producing a new romance dramedy, Amazon MGM returns with Maintenance Required, a story that kind of turns the tables.
Maintenance Required (2025) Film Review
Owning her own business is a feat Charlie (Madelaine Petsch) is very proud of. For her whole life she has loved mechanics and fixing things, but she is really doing this to honor her dad. She operates the shop she inherited where she has assembled a group of talented employees. To help cure some of her loneliness she has struck up a friendship with an online pen pal she met on a car thread. This friendship is an unexpected bond thanks to their shared passions.
When a new mechanic shop opens close by and threatens Charlie’s business, things change. Now Charlie has to fight to keep her business, even against the handsome Beau (Jacob Scipio), the man who represents the corporation threatening her livelihood.
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‘MAINTENANCE REQUIRED’ IS A FUN ONE BUT WON’T REINVENT ROMANCE. Review of the 2025 #PrimeVideo rom-com #MaintenanceRequired! #Movies #Romcom #Romance Share on X
This isn’t one of those films that will revolutionize the rom-com genre. It’s cute and does entertain but doesn’t really change this genre. What I do (really) like about this script is the juxtaposition of contemporary and old-fashioned ideals. It makes this story more interesting, and allows the film to seem somewhat different. I do think the production could use a bit of a little polish and the “where” of the story isn’t always the smoothest, but the characters are likable and its fun hanging out with them.
I think Madeline is well cast in this role of tough and fearless role but she still plays this by being just a girl, and while I don’t think I’ve seen Scipio in anything, he’s good too. Everyone else adds some “cute” and comedy to their respective roles, and if you loved Prime Video’s (one and done show) Motorheads, well then Maintenance Required will be a bit of a balm. The film, while not one that will reinvent the romcom does pay homage to some of the “greats” most noticeably You’ve Got Mail.
Bottom line, while imperfect, this film is cute. It’s the kind of movie you can watch on a night in, enjoy a few laughs and, yes, get that happy ending.
Stream, at publication, Maintenance Required exclusively on Prime Video
Photos: Alamy
Content: the film has a scene of a couple post sex (he’s in bed, she is dressing) and some conversation about how casual their relationship is. Other characters also live the same in a string of revolving casual hookups. One character like the same sex (conversation) if this bothers you. There is conversation about STDs and a couple makes out complete with the start of undressing. The film is PG-13.
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