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"I usually hate rom-coms but I've fallen head over heels for new TV series Modern Love."

 

Back in my teenage years, when I was a less jaded and cynical version of the human being I am now, I had a bit of a soft spot for romantic comedies.

But over the years I had fallen somewhat out of love with the genre, thanks to the predictable makeover scenes, repetitive storylines and a baffling emphasis on celebrating jerkish men with judgemental attitude problems (yes, I am looking at you, Nate from The Devil Wears Prada).

This is why it was a tad surprising when I found myself falling head over heels for the new romantic comedy-esque series Modern Love, which just premiered on Amazon Prime Video in Australia.

Modern Love is an anthology series that borrows a few fun storytelling devices from romantic comedies such as being set against a glittering version of New York City and featuring a series of gooey, meet-cute moments that will warm even the coldest of hearts.

Where it takes a different stance from this genre, however, is with the breath of love stories that are explored across the series.

Each episode in the eight-part Modern Love anthology series stands alone as its own little mini-movie, with each offering telling its own story featuring a whole new cast of characters. Some of the stories focus in on exploring sexual and romantic love while others look at familial, platonic and even self-love in some cases.

Take a look at the trailer for Modern Love. Post continues after video. 

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Modern Love is based on a popular New York Times column of the same name, meaning that each episode in the new Amazon series is based on a true story that has been chronicled in the newspaper and has now been adapted for the small screen.

The series also features a pretty compelling, all-star cast with performers such as Dev Patel, Catherine Keener, Julia Garner, Andy García and Cristin Milioti all taking the lead across different episodes.

While it is hard to pick a stand out episode from the Modern Love series, for me there were two particular stories that I found myself thinking about long after the credits had rolled.

Episode three, entitled Take Me as I Am, Whoever I Am, starring Anne Hathaway was a particular favorite of mine. In this episode, Hathaway plays a bipolar entertainment lawyer whose life becomes particularly complicated when she finds herself beginning to fall in love. Her character goes through an interesting story arc while also exploring how mental illness plays into a new love story.

Another stand-out from the series is episode four, Rallying to Keep the Game.

This episode stars Tina Fey and John Slattery as a married couple who are suffering through some relationship woes and attempt to fix their marriage with a bit of counselling. The chemistry and comedic timing between these two actors is a particular joy to watch on screen.

So if you, like me, are looking to warm your cold dead heart, then Modern Love is the TV series for you.

Modern Love is available to watch now on Amazon Prime Video.  

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