When love stories are made, it feels like no one exists outside the couple and then, even in real life, that’s what we romanticise – hum do and then later, aur hamare do. But that’s not how real life unfolds. We are emotionally attached to many people, equations and bonds with whom are more important to us than a new found love. Voicemails for Isabelle explores that beautiful relationship the female protagonist, Jill shares with her sister, Isabelle.
Isabelle is shown to be struggling with cystic fibrosis from a very young age due to which she experiences most of her life through her sister, Jill. When Jill goes for a party, Isabelle lives that party via a phone call with her sister. When she comes back, they have their own party at home. When together, it feels like death won’t ever happen and things would only improve from here. But time finally comes when Isabelle bids goodbye to her family leaving her sister completely destroyed. As she passes when Jill is away for work, Isabelle’s passing hits Jill even harder. Now, without that phone call, Jill doesn’t know how to go on with her life so she starts calling her sister and unload her day onto her not knowing that there is a person on the other side of the phone who is silently listening to her laugh, cry, lose her temper, and sometimes, even break down.
As the trailer hints, Wes cannot keep himself away from this woman who is silently struggling to keep up and shows up one evening. They then get into a relationship but when Jill gets to know the truth, she feels betrayed and walks away – hurt and angry. What happens next is worth watching. This love story’s main character is still Isabelle and Jill’s love for her dead sister. Wes’ presence doesn’t magically heal Jill and her focus doesn’t shift to this guy who has recently shown up in her life. Though the moments between these two are heartwarming and will make you smile – wanting Jill to finally find a new friend so that her grieving heart heals. But a romantic partner cannot replace your childhood bestie, your sister and that authenticity is what makes Voicemails for Isabelle unique.
What made this movie special for me is its ending. Just like Jill, Wes also starts speaking to Isabelle hoping that she sends a sign from above. Now, that’s what you call a true love story, the one that focuses on love between two people without being too adamant about scripting intimate moments between the couple. Because that’s not what love is all about.
Having said that, if I had to make a minor change, I would have liked to see Wes and Jill get more screen time as a couple without changing anything else about their story.
Where to Watch? Netflix
