Isn't It Romantic (2019) Plot Summary & Timeline

The film begins in the early 90s in Australia, where a young Natalie (Alex Kis) is captivated by Pretty Woman. However, her excitement is quickly dampened when her mother (Jennifer Saunders) enters and harshly tells her that women like them never get the happy endings that beautiful women, like Julia Roberts, do. This moment shatters Natalie’s spirit, making it difficult for her to enjoy the film.

Fast forward 25 years, and Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is now an architect living in New York City. Regrettably, she finds herself regarded as the ‘coffee bitch’ among her colleagues and is seen as a bit of a pushover. Her closest friends are Josh (Adam Devine) and Whitney (Betty Gilpin), Natalie’s assistant. Things take a turn when they land a new client, the handsome billionaire Blake (Liam Hemsworth). As Natalie steps in to join her friends for a presentation, a mix-up leads Blake to mistake her coffee for his, causing her boss to send her back for a fresh cup.

Later, Natalie catches Whitney crying while watching The Wedding Singer. This prompts a cynical rant from Natalie about the unrealistic portrayals in romantic comedies. Despite her friends’ attempts to connect with her, Natalie brushes them off, unaware of how closed off she has become.

While commuting home, Natalie encounters a man on another train who seems to be flirting with her. However, the situation escalates into an attempted mugging. In a surprising turn of events, Natalie fights back, but in her frantic escape, she knocks herself unconscious by running into a pole.

When she regains consciousness in a hospital, a charming doctor flirts with her, yet she feels more uncomfortable than charmed. Upon leaving, she notices that the usually unpleasant smells of New York have been replaced with the scent of lavender. However, as she steps into the street, she is unexpectedly hit by Blake’s limo, who is now truly charming and takes her home in a flash, leaving behind his number written on flower petals—though in a confusing random order.

Upon arriving home, Natalie is astonished to find her apartment transformed into a luxurious space filled with an endless array of shoes that fit her perfectly. Even her dog seems to have undergone a makeover! Now her neighbor Donny (Brandon Scott Jones) is no longer grumpy but instead embodies the role of a flamboyant, supportive best friend.

At work, Natalie quickly realizes that Whitney is no longer her assistant but is now competing against her. Things take a further twist when, while walking in the park with Josh, they encounter a choking woman—who turns out to be stunning swimsuit model Isabella (Priyanka Chopra). Josh exhibits instant chemistry with Isabella, leaving Natalie feeling abandoned and sidelined.

As Natalie strolls through the city, she finds herself in a surreal romantic comedy dimension where good-looking men seem to be complimenting her at every turn, and random dance parties occur in the park. In a desperate attempt to escape this romantic comedy world, Natalie tries to knock herself out again but ends up attracting unwanted attention instead. Even a police officer with the name Officer Hansom arrests her for fare evasion. An unexpected twist occurs when she uses her phone call to contact Blake, and miraculously, the petals align perfectly, allowing her to dial the correct number.

Once Blake picks her up, Natalie devises a plan: she must make him fall in love with her to escape this strange reality. Following a makeover montage with Donny, Natalie goes on a glamorous date with Blake that culminates in a passionate kiss. However, her attempts to get closer become frustratingly interrupted, cutting to morning after morning.

Blake professes his love for her, but it does little to change her feelings, as she finds herself still trapped in this bizarre romantic narrative. A visit from Josh bearing Chinese food sparks joy, and their genuine connection leaves Natalie conflicted. When Blake’s obnoxious behavior drives Josh away after a chance encounter, Natalie’s heartache deepens, especially when Josh and Isabella announce their impending wedding, which happens the next day.

At a karaoke bar, Natalie seizes the moment to showcase her vocal prowess by singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” transforming into a lively musical number with crowd participation. However, as she navigates her emotions and finds that Blake is trying to take credit for her ideas, she ultimately chooses to end her relationship with him.

Following a challenging heart-to-heart with Donny, who provides her with clarity, Natalie decides to embrace the ultimate romantic comedy trope of interrupting a wedding to confess her love. While addressing Josh at the church, she realizes that self-love is the lesson she was meant to learn all along. Disappointed, she attempts to steal the getaway car, leading to a crash into a wall.

In the aftermath, Natalie wakes up in yet another hospital, initially fearful that she is trapped in the same romantic comedy. To her relief, she soon discovers the real doctor is far less charming but here for her recovery. Once she bursts out an expletive—“Fuck!”—she is thrust back into her reality.

Returning home, she finds comfort in her modest apartment and her somewhat unruly dog. Outside, she has an unexpected yet heartwarming reunion with Donny, now openly embracing his identity. At work, she mends her friendship with Whitney, urging her to stop watching romantic films while at the office. Finally, she presents a pitch to her boss and Blake for a new project, impressing everyone.

Later, she confronts Josh about his obsession with Isabella, only to discover that he was always looking at her. Touched by his honesty, the two share a sweet kiss. As she steps out for coffee with Whitney, she quips about her newfound success in both her career and love life, playfully mirroring a cliché from the genre she has come to loathe. Just then, the film transitions into a joyful credit sequence featuring the cast performing a lively musical number, underscoring the transformation and growth of Natalie’s journey.