In Front of Others (2016)

In Front of Others is the kind of romantic comedy that wins you over with its oddly relatable premise: what if the version of you that finally gets noticed isn’t really you at all? It’s light on its feet and genuinely fun, letting awkward charm and social misfires do the heavy lifting while the romance bubbles up in a way that feels sweet rather than forced. The vibe is breezy and playful, with enough escalating complications to keep you smiling as Hubert’s borrowed confidence starts to run the show. If you prefer subtle, low-key rom-coms over raunchy or cynical ones, this is an enjoyable, easy-to-like watch—though if you can’t stand secondhand embarrassment, a few moments may hit a little too close.

In Front of Others is clearly aiming for an awkward-rom-com setup about a timid guy reinventing himself to win someone over, with escalating misunderstandings and a “this can’t possibly end well” energy. The problem is that it often feels like it’s running on a thin, unbelievable premise, and if you need characters to behave like real people, the choices and reactions may test your patience. Some viewers also find the performances and character work too rough to sell the emotional beats, which makes the comedy land with a thud instead of a spark. If you’re happy to coast on a simple, broad premise and don’t mind sitcom-level logic, you might still get a few light moments—but if you’re picky about believable romance and convincing acting, this probably isn’t your night.