A composer with an unfinished opera, a spiritually conflicted psychiatrist, a free-spirited tugboat captain collide on an unpredictable voyage into uncharted waters. A film by Rebecca Miller, starring Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Joanna Kulig, Brian d’Arcy James, Evan A. Ellison, Harlow Jane, and Anne Hathaway.

Amidst the grandeur of an opera house fundraiser reception, a countertenor’s rendition of “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Georges Bizet’s Carmen fills the air. Steven Lauddem (Peter Dinklage), once a celebrated opera composer, grapples with the weight of his past failure. Five years ago, his previous opera met with disastrous public reception, plunging him into a debilitating writer’s block. Consumed by depression, he retreated from the spotlight, abandoning his passion for composing. Seeking solace, he turned on therapy, which eventually led him to Patricia Jessup (Anne Hathaway), the therapist and now his wife.

Steven, consumed by anxiety, retreats behind a towering potted plant to check his racing pulse. Patricia, his wife and psychiatrist, locates him and introduces him to Duftin Haverford (Gregg Edelman), the director of Troika Opera Space. Duftin has commissioned Steven for his next opera, and eagerly anticipates progress on the project, as the deadline for the first draft of the score looms in two weeks. Steven, however, is hesitant to engage with Duftin, crippled by writer’s block and the daunting task ahead.

As the scene shifts, the narrative unveils a subplot, introducing us to Julian (Evan A. Ellison) and Tereza (Harlow Jane), a young couple bound by an undeniable love who embark on a journey of shared passion and ambition. Julian is Patricia’s son from her first husband. United by a shared desire to make a positive impact on the world, they collaborate on a school science project, their youthful idealism fueling their hopes for a brighter future.

Tereza is the daughter of Magdalena Szyskowski (Joanna Kulig), an undocumented immigrant who cleans for a living. Magdalena is in a relationship with Trey Ruffa (Brian d’Arcy James), a skilled stenographer at the court whose years of transcribing trials have given him a deep understanding of the law. Although Magdalena and Trey are not married, Trey has legally adopted Tereza. Troy also nourishes his passion for the Civil War through historical reenactments.

Steven’s anxiety mounts as he struggles to compose the music, the deadline looming like a dark cloud. His longtime librettist Anton Gatner (Aalok Mehta), has abruptly abandoned him to work with his rival Raef Gundel (Sam Levine), leaving Steven adrift in a sea of unformed melodies. Patricia refuses to have sex with him, citing an earlier agreement regarding their intimate encounters. Patricia finally manages to usher him out for another walk with their dog Levi. As Patricia prepares for her upcoming client session, she suggests Steven venture far beyond their usual route, interact with strangers, hoping to break his routine and spark inspiration.

Steven finds himself in a bar, where he crosses paths with Katrina Trento (Marisa Tomei), a captivating tugboat captain. Drawn to her unconventional profession and intriguing tales, Steven decides to accompany her to her boat. The two have sex, Katrina confesses her struggle with romance addiction, admitting that her presence at the bar was a deliberate attempt to find a companion.

Consumed by guilt over his illicit affair, Steven makes a hasty retreat from the boat, muttering to himself that Katrina had ensnared him with some kind of bewitching spell. The sudden blare of a ship’s whistle shatters the silence, startling Steven and Levi. Steven stumbles, losing his footing and plunging into the water, an unexpected occurrence that ignites a spark of inspiration within him, propelling him towards the creation of his new opera about a crazy murderer who lures men into her tugboat, and kills them, and eats them.

Despite its seemingly predictable plot, which falls squarely within the conventions of the romantic comedy genre, filmmaker Rebecca Miller masterfully elevates “SHE CAME TO ME” into a captivating cinematic gem through her witty and insightful script and the captivating performances of Peter Dinklage and Marisa Tomei.

While Anne Hathaway delivers a notable portrayal of Patricia, a psychiatrist grappling with an inexplicable spiritual yearning, her character’s trajectory feels somewhat peripheral to the central love triangle. Her obsession with cleanliness and her desire to pursue a monastic life seem to function primarily as plot devices to remove her from the romantic equation, rather than serving as integral elements of her character arc.

The subplot involving the young couple stands out as particularly interesting, defying the usual convention of subplots taking a backseat to the main narrative. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship amidst the disapproval of their mothers, who have both experienced failed marriages and premature pregnancies, their journey transforms into a heartwarming adventure that fills our hearts with joy. SHE CAME TO ME is arguably one of the best romantic comedy films I have seen in recent memory.

SHE CAME TO ME premiered at Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin on 16 February 2023. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 6 October.