Comet Movie: Justin Long’s Best Performance Almost Went Unnoticed
Comet feels like watching someone flip through a photo album of a relationship. Director Sam Esmail takes his time showing us Dell and Kimberly’s six-year romance. But he doesn’t tell it the usual way – beginning to end.
Instead, we jump around their timeline like memories do in real life. One moment they’re meeting at a meteor shower in LA, the next they’re fighting in a Paris hotel. This approach makes every scene feel important and meaningful.
Two Characters, One Big Gamble
Justin Long plays Dell, a scientist who can’t stop talking. He’s the kind of guy who analyzes everything, including his own relationships. Emmy Rossum is Kimberly, smart enough to match his endless chatter but grounded in ways he isn’t.
I was surprised by how well they work together. Long usually plays the funny sidekick, but here he’s vulnerable and real. Rossum holds her own against his rapid-fire dialogue, never letting him dominate their scenes completely.
When Dialogue Becomes Art
The conversations in this movie are unlike anything I’ve heard recently. Esmail writes like someone who actually listens to how people talk when they’re falling in love. The words feel natural even when they’re discussing big philosophical ideas.
What impressed me most was how these talks reveal character. Dell speaks fast because he’s afraid of silence. Kimberly chooses her words carefully because she knows their power. Their different speaking styles tell us everything about who they are.
The Parallel Universe Twist
The film mentions being set in a parallel universe, but don’t expect sci-fi elements. This feels more like a storytelling choice than a plot device. Maybe Esmail wanted freedom to bend reality slightly for his romantic vision.
The meteor shower that brings them together works as both a real event and a symbol. I liked how the cosmic theme runs through their story without being heavy-handed. Love can feel otherworldly, after all.
Where Things Get Complicated
Sometimes the film tries too hard to be clever. Certain scenes feel like Esmail showing off his writing skills rather than serving the story. The jumping timeline occasionally confuses more than it illuminates relationships.
The movie also feels a bit cold despite the passionate performances. I wanted to connect more emotionally with these characters. The intellectual approach sometimes keeps us at arm’s length from their hearts.
Critics vs Audiences
Professional reviewers were split on this one. Rotten Tomatoes shows 44% critic approval, while Metacritic landed at 52/100. Many critics felt the style overshadowed the substance, calling it pretentious or overly ambitious.
Regular viewers seemed to respond better to the film’s emotional core. Online reviews often mention the chemistry between Long and Rossum as the film’s saving grace. People connected with the realistic relationship dynamics despite the unconventional structure.
The Verdict on Love
Comet succeeds as an experiment in romantic storytelling. It fails when it prioritizes cleverness over genuine emotion. But those two lead performances carry the film through its weaker moments beautifully.
I’d recommend this to anyone tired of typical romantic comedies. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely different. Esmail proved he had a unique voice long before Mr. Robot made him famous.
Rating: 3.5/5
