'There's No Appetite For It': I'm Thrilled Over This Netflix Romantic Comedy
To put it plainly, the term "kvell" means to express joy or pride boastfully. And this word came to mind as I started watching the Netflix romantic comedy titled Nobody Wants This. The story revolves around an unbelieving sex podcast host named Joanne (played by Kristin Bell, known for her roles in Veronica Mars and The Good Life) and a solo rabbi named Noah (portrayed by Adam Brody, famously known for his role in The O.C.). Despite their vastly different lifestyles and meddlesome families, these two individuals manage to fall in love.
Nobody Wants This was released on Netflix last September, but with a plethora of "A"-list programming options in 2024, like Netflix's blockbuster A Man on the Inside with Ted Danson, I only recently got a chance to watch this not-to-be-missed romantic comedy.
The main plot: Inspired by creator Erin Foster's life, Noah is a rabbi who ends his relationship with his Jewish girlfriend, Rebecca (Emily Arlook). Joanne, the "shiksa" (meaning a non-Jewish woman), runs a relationship podcast with her sister Morgan (Justine Lupa). They cross paths at a dinner party organized by Ashley (Sherry Cola), Noah's neighbor and Joanne's representative.
Against all odds and tremendous objections from almost everyone in their lives, Noah and Joanne choose to take the plunge and experience love.
Will this couple, comprising a rabbi and a "shiksa," be able to defy the odds? Will Noah's family, who are strongly against their relationship, and Joanne's stubborn sister Morgan ultimately accept them? Will there be a happy ending for the pair?
In terms of its concept, Nobody Wants This is nothing new. We've witnessed the opposites attract trope many times before. However, through its execution, Brody's Noah and Bell's Joanne instantly resonate with the viewer – a contemporary couple potentially constricted by a traditional predicament. Their likeability amidst an eclectic assortment of comically stereotypical characters, like veteran Tovah Feldshah as the stern matriarch Bina Roklov and Paul Ben-Victor as her husband Ilan, who eternally defers to his wife, affords us the desire to root for their relationship from the start.
An interesting tidbit: Tovah Feldshah is 18 years older than Paul Ben-Victor, despite both being much older than their son on the show, Adam Brody!
Overall, in its first season, Nobody Wants This is completely bingeable. You won't want to tear your eyes away until you've gone through the initial batch of 10 episodes. But like a well-prepared kugel (soft in the inside, crispy on the outside), you may want to savor this delightful romantic comedy slowly to fully enjoy it.
Personally, I can't wait for the ongoing chaos (mishegoss) of Noah and Joanne's family and friends in the next season. They're undeniably a match made in heaven.
Adam Brody's portrayal of Noah in "Nobody Wants This" elevates the character, making him a delight to watch, even amidst the stereotypical characters. Nobody wants to miss Tovah Feldshah's stellar performance as the stern matriarch Bina Roklov in this Netflix comedy.
