What a treat it is to review The Lovebirds, directed by Michael Showalter! This very funny offering boosts Showalter to my list of favorite filmmakers. He was almost there with Big Sick and Hello, My Name Is Doris, two amusing movies that made me sit up and take notice. But this new film made me stand up and cheer. My husband and I laughed out loud in almost every scene, which we haven’t done in a long, long time.

Casting is first-rate. Issa Rae (The Photograph) and Kumail Nanjiani (Big Sick) play off each other like they were doing a comedy version of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. There’s nothing either one’s character says that the other one won’t argue about. Their machine-gun delivery style may be hard to follow at times, but the dialogue is priceless, kudos to screenwriters Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gail. Along with Rae and Nanjiani’s terrific  chemistry together on screen, their comic timing seems perfect. Here’s hoping they appear in more movies together. I’d love to see them in a series of films -- like Hepburn and Tracy did in days of yore.     

We have high hopes for the couple’s romance at the beginning of this outrageous story. However, four years later things have changed drastically. They are on the brink of a break-up. Will a bizarre accident seal the deal or will it rekindle their love?             

Two lovebirds take the center stage.

Argue they do, sometimes in rage.

Can they survive being involved

in a murder they both want solved?

Loud laughter reigns as these two talk

of silly things but never balk

at getting deeper in a mess.

And I loved it, I must confess.

Action, violence and surprise!

This one might win my comedy prize.

Direction, plot, and acting too

make “The Lovebirds” a treat for you.

As mystery comedies go, The Lovebirds” ranks right up there with Knives Out and Game Night. It boasts enough suspense to keep us interested from beginning to end. Surprisingly, the movie’s romance angle ends up being just icing on a very tasty cake.

Love is such a confusing word. You think I’m joking, but I’m not. --- Michael Showalter

Mystery is something that appeals to almost everybody. --- Angela Lansbury

Dying is easy. Comedy is hard. --- Edmund Gwenn

(Released by Netflix and rated “R” for sexual content, language throughout, and some violence.)