After its limited theatrical release, romantic comedy Things Like This, written, directed by and starring Max Talisman, makes its way onto digital this week from Shout! Studios.

Zack Anthony (Max Talisman, Super Dark Times) is a writer, struggling to complete his first vampire novel. Zack is a bit odd and quirky, and also a bit of a mess. He enjoys eating frosting straight from the jar, especially when he gets stressed. His longtime friend Kenny (Charlie Tahan, Ozark, A Complete Unknown) helps him with rent while he works on his book, and couple Chloe (Margaret Berkowitz, Him) & Peter (Danny Chavarriaga, Argyle Gargoyle) are there for him whenever he needs a push. Zack hasn’t been very lucky in love—his most recent hook-up ended with the other guy bluntly telling him that he was not only not physically attracted to Zack, but also that he has a bad, rude personality. Zack has learned to brush off comments about his appearance, and knows that he is overweight. He likes himself the way he is, and knows that his wit and humor is usually what attracts other guys.

Elsewhere in New York City, is Zack Mandel (Joey Pollari, Love, Simon), who also hasn’t had much luck in love. For the past two years, he has stayed in the same boring relationship with partner Eric (Taylor Trensch, Your Monster, 2025 Tony Nominee for Floyd Collins) simply because it’s safe and because he can’t deal with rejection. Zack has had a strained relationship with his father (Eric Roberts, The Dark Knight) ever since he came out. Zack works as a talent agent assistant, but his boss Margie (Cara Buono, Stranger Things) doesn’t recognize or reward his talents. Zack’s work wife Ava (Jackie Cruz, Orange Is the New Black) considers Zack her bestie, and is constantly encouraging him to make a change, but Zack often takes their friendship for granted.

One evening, Zack’s boss sends him to attend a talent showcase in her place, where the other Zack is attending in support of a friend of a friend. The two Zacks cross paths, and can’t explain it at first, but they feel instantly connected. Despite a disastrous first date, which ends with a trip to the hospital, the two guys discover a shared connection in their past, and start to wonder if it was destiny or fate that brought them together. The Zacks have found the start of something special, and are definitely falling in love with one another. However, self-doubt, misunderstandings, and the fear of rejection starts to creep in and cause them to self-sabotage their promising relationship. Can the guys overcome their insecurities and personal issues to finally realize they are perfect for one another?! If not, their friends will certainly step in to help.

Things Like This is a funny and sweet romantic comedy that follows the typical rom-com formula and has a universal theme/feel, but with an LGBT slant—in this case, the two people falling in love both happen to be guys. One major element of a rom-com is the meet-cute, and this film has a fun one as the two Zacks attempt their first date, only to end in potential disaster and bloodshed. However, this only seems to strengthen their blossoming relationship. With every rom-com you also need to have some kind of conflict to throw a wrench in the relationship, and here we see some self-sabotage and insecurities arise. But this becomes a vehicle to allow the characters to work through their personal issues and realize where their hearts have been all along. Another common rom-com trope is the misunderstanding—when one character misreads a situation that leads them to think the other party has moved on. I’m not a fan of when these when they seem thrown in just for conflict, or drag on too long, but here it’s done in a fun way that quickly comes to a hilarious resolution.

It may seem ridiculous to give your two lead characters the same name, and even Ava suggests that her bestie Zack not pursue the relationship because it would get too confusing. But the film has a lot of fun with this, such as when Zack M discovers his ex has moved on, and reveals that he too has found someone else, but when he says his new man is named Zack, his ex laughs it off, suggesting if he’s going to make up a name he could at least get more creative.

The two leads have excellent chemistry with one another. While the two Zacks seem quite different from one another, both in physicality and in personality, the connection they have feels quite real and palpable. Both of the guys feels this attraction, and find ways to prove to the other that they are invested in the relationship and truly care about one another. Both of these guys have flaws but love has a way of giving blinders and blocking that out.

Generally, the production looks great, with some beautiful shots of the city as a backdrop to this love story. There was only one moment that indicated to me this was likely a lower budget project, which is when the Zacks visit the hospital during their first date. The location did not feel like a hospital room, but rather a lounge or empty space draped with heavy curtains and anatomy-themed posters on the wall to try to sell it. That said, it was just a short moment, and the fun, romantic banter between the characters more than made up for it. I will say that it took a bit for Max Talisman’s Zack to grow on me. When we first meet him, he’s a bit loud, and you kind of agree with the hook-up who says Zack is rude. However, as we learn more about this Zack, there is a sweetness that starts to bleed through, especially as the two guys start to fall for one another. Joey Pollari’s Zack is charming right from the start, but as we learn more about him, there is this darkness and insecurity that is slowly revealed.

The film’s supporting cast is excellent—both of the Zacks have really fun friend groups. For Zack M, it’s his hilarious and unflappable “bestie” Ava, who seems to love and care for him unconditionally. She wants him to be a success in both love and life and is there for him whenever he needs it. She will also step in when she sees him doing something stupid. Likewise, Zack A also has some really supportive friends who will give him a hard time when needed. Whether it’s longtime friend Kenny helping him with rent, or couple Chloe & Peter being a good example of the kind of loving relationship he wants. The supporting cast also includes appearances by Nicholas Hamilton (IT), Bridget Regan (Jane the Virgin), Barbara Barrie, and more.

Things Like This will be available on Digital June 10 from Shout! Studios. MPX Releasing will also be giving the film a Blu-ray & DVD release on June 17 through Amazon. Normally in my reviews, I would comment on the audio and video presentation of the release, but since I watched this film via a watermarked screener, I’m not sure how it compares to the final quality of the consumer product. But generally the screener looked and sounded great. The digital release does not appear to include any bonus material, however, there are some fun bloopers during the credits, and the movie is worth checking out for those interested in a fun rom-com, and especially if you’re looking for something LGBT-themed for Pride Month.

What’s Included:

Digital specs may vary by platform/retailer.

Film: (1:38:47)

• 1080p / Widescreen
• Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1
• Subtitles: English

Extras:

No bonus material included.

Final Thoughts:

Things Like This follows two guys named Zack as they fall in love after fate seems to brought them together, but personal issues and insecurities threaten to pull them apart just as quickly. The film follows the usual rom-com tropes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing—it’s a tried and true formula that works. The two leads have great chemistry and are surrounded by a fun supporting cast of wacky and caring characters who are all rooting for this relationship to be a success. The movie is a fun and entertaining LGBT-themed rom-com, which is perfectly timed for release during Pride Month.