Is 'Relationship Goals' more than just a nostalgic rom-com? Or is it a cleverly disguised sermon?
At first glance, Relationship Goals appears to be a quintessential romantic comedy, tailor-made for a specific generation. The ever-radiant Kelly Rowland stars as Leah, a driven morning TV producer on the cusp of taking over from her retiring boss. Just as she's about to shatter the glass ceiling, the network executives throw a curveball: a bake-off against Jarrett, a charismatic figure from her romantic past, brought to life by the undeniably charming Method Man. The prospect of a Destiny's Child alum navigating a classic 'will they/won't they' with a Wu-Tang Clan legend is a powerful draw, likely to pull in fans who grew up with their music, purely out of nostalgic curiosity.
This allure is amplified by director Linda Mendoza's exceptionally brisk pacing; the 90-minute runtime simply flies by. The film's writing trio, spearheaded by Michael Elliott (known for Just Wright and Beyoncé's Carmen: A Hip-Hopera), demonstrates remarkable efficiency in setting up the familiar plot. Leah's supportive circle of friends – including the hilariously single makeup artist Treese (Annie Gonzalez), the wistful anchor Brenda (Robin Thede), and the all-knowing assistant Roland (Ryan Jamaal Swain) – expertly deliver exposition and punctuate scenes with witty banter and knowing glances. Brenda even humorously titles her emergency engagement strategy 'Project Put a Ring on It.' The only character who slightly slows the momentum is Leah's grieving father, played by Dennis Haysbert, but not to a detrimental degree.
The film's genre and its embrace of millennial charm make it easy to overlook its rather loose interpretation of how television news actually functions. (Seriously, two New York City producers vying for a top network job are given a three-week deadline for a Valentine's Day puff piece? Talk about a romantic fairy tale!) The soundtrack, a vibrant mix ranging from Victoria Monét to the Doobie Brothers, culminating in a duet from the leads titled 'Complicated,' helps us forget the rather perilous situation Leah orchestrates for Jarrett to achieve their clichéd airport reunion, all thanks to a fake bomb threat. ("I'm tryna cater and Spotify you with baby makers," Method Man, or Johnny Blaze, raps in a line that, at the very least, clearly directs listeners to where they can stream the song.) However, it's only after you've watched the trailer and committed to the movie that the true nature of this PG-13 film emerges: it's actually a faith-based movie intended for women who might be spending Valentine's Day solo.
But here's where it gets controversial... The film's true standout is Michael Todd, a prominent figure in the new wave of prosperity gospel preachers who hawk sneakers and sermons. This movie directly borrows its title from his bestselling book, which, among other things, offers advice on dating with purpose and controversially labels women who don't adhere to his standards as 'chicken nuggets.'
This narrative isn't entirely new. Fourteen years ago, Steve Harvey transformed his relationship advice into the successful Think Like a Man franchise, facing criticism for seemingly endorsing outdated misogyny, which Leah might aptly describe as 'the toxic butthole of patriarchy.' Similarly, TD Jakes, a highly influential megachurch leader endorsed by figures like Oprah Winfrey and Diddy, has been translating his bestselling theological works into films that explore themes of feminine submission for years. It's therefore unsurprising to find one of Jakes's regular screenwriters, Cory Tynan, involved here.
Todd's presence is deeply woven into Relationship Goals. The characters hold him in high regard as an authority. Leah and Jarrett even make him and his wife, Natalie, the central focus of their Valentine's Day puff piece, which is shown twice. They embark on a pilgrimage to Todd's megachurch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for Sunday service. This isn't necessarily to set up Method Man for a slightly off-key rendition of Keyshia Cole's 'Love' during a road trip, or for Rowland to seek cinematic redemption in Tyler Perry's Mea Culpa. When stripped of its nostalgic familiarity and romantic tropes, Relationship Goals functions less as a film and more as an extended advertisement for Todd's ministry, produced by DeVon Franklin, another shrewd preacher who established his Hollywood presence years ago.
And this is the part most people miss... Earlier this month, comedian Druski created a viral sketch where he portrayed a flamboyant preacher, descending in a smoke shroud, adorned in vibrant colors and ostentatious chains, to 'impregnate everyone with the word of God.' This parody, which garnered 43 million views in a single day and sparked intense debate about the potential for extravagant megachurch pageantry to distract from spiritual focus, was undoubtedly inspired by Todd. He is infamous for an incident where he wiped his own phlegm on a worshipper's eyes to illustrate a parable about Jesus healing the blind. (Though Todd did reportedly find Druski's sketch amusing.)
Relationship Goals presents a similarly narrow view of marriage, once again positioning it as the sole path to true and lasting peace for women. If you can overlook this underlying message and simply enjoy the familiar faces and lighthearted romance, the swift journey to the credits might feel sufficiently uplifting.
Relationship Goals is currently available on Amazon Prime.
What are your thoughts on films that blend entertainment with religious messaging? Do you agree with the critique that Relationship Goals might be more of an infomercial than a rom-com? Let us know in the comments below!
