The Return Of My Drama Queen

starring: MONROE CLINE & JAKE HOBBS

SYNOPSIS

Marie Antoinette time-travels to 2024, reincarnated as Antonia, married to her lover. With a second chance, she aims to make her marriage work,

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one really feels like it was ahead of its time on Reelshort App.

So different with the time travel element, costumes, and sets. But it still delivers all those things we want in a vertical, a swoon-worthy love story, a dastardly baddie, Sarah Moliski being mean, and some great fun details

It is made by Monroe Cline as Antonia. It's a really difficult role, in the hands of a lesser actress the mannerisms of Marie A could be annoying, but Monroe is phenomenal, keeping them there, but also slowly dialing them down as Antonia adapts to the modern-day. Lots of great comedy as she tries to work out a phone, some sassy lines when she deals with Lana, and heartbreaking when reliving her past

I think this is one of Jake Hobbs first roles in a vertical and he is superb. He is so damaged at the beginning, having had his heart smashed by Antonia. Then confused and bemused (randomly reminding me of Ricky in I Love Lucy being confused by her japes). And then finally a man in love who gets to be the action hero and save the day. Plus his face when that bra lands on his head 😆

I have such a genuine fondness for all the characters in this, they are so likeable and I love the found family vibe of Antonia, Nick, Sadie, and Finn

Sadie (Hannah Lowery) gets all the best lines but breaks my heart when she asks Antonia not to change

Finn (Michael Ticknor) survives that awful wig. I love his storyline

I miss (Michael Marcelio) who I haven't seen in a vert for a while and is fabulous as director Oliver in this. Thank you for standing up to Max! (Was also a brilliant Cupid in another Reelshort film)

As ever Sarah Moliski is fabulous, sorry you ended up in a straight jacket

And I love Elyse Mirto as Dame Vivian, she has the perfect presence and fabulousness. And adore that she supports her daughter rather than undermining

A few other details
- love Nick's hand tightening on Oliver's shoulder when he is jealous
- Antonia writing her CV and the background music
- Mops 🐕 more vert pets needed
- Lana's acting
- Vivian's 8 husbands

Totally recommended

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

This one works so well because Jake Hobbs perfectly captures a man who has had his heart broken and is terrified of it happening again. You can see he is so damaged…but then he talks her down from a panic attack…and then the back hug in episode 64 after she tells him she loves him is everything.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

We have a fantastic pair with Max and Lana. The reveal that Lana has been messing with Antonia for years is actually quite chilling. And Max you are a dreadful, dreadful historian!

😂 Comedy gold:

There is a super moment when Antonia’s bra lands on Nick’s head, but is has to be the epic bathroom fight between Antonia and Lana that we see play out in the background as an oblivious Nick is on the phone.

🎺 Unsung hero:

I love Sadie. Like so much. From the moment she says ‘I know how to stick a bit*%’. There is a beautiful moment when she says she hopes Antonia doesn’t change again.

✍🏼 DETAILS

directors: Shicong Zhu | writer: TBC | 2024

Available on Reelshort