March 27, 2026
FILM: YOU’RE DATING A NARCISSIST
DIRECTED BY: ANN MARIE ALLISON
STARRING: MARISA TOMEI, CIARA BRAVO, SHERRY COLA
RATING: 2 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Let’s talk for a minute about Marisa Tomei. Yes, she won a deserved Oscar for My Cousin Vinny and was nominated two other times for very good performances in In the Bedroom and The Wrestler. Maybe there really aren’t many good parts for exceptional Hollywood actresses because Tomei hasn’t had the opportunity to show off her chops now in quite some time. You’re Dating a Narcissist doesn’t change that. It’s features Tomei giving an unfortunately over-the-top performance in a film that wants her to be a feminist but instead makes her unlikeable and annoying.
The film was written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly who previously wrote a forgotten movie that starred other great actresses (Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph) called The Fabulous Four which currently has a 4.9 score on IMDB. Not something to be proud of. Somehow Allison got Tomei to take the lead role in this new project which she also directed. Tomei plays Judy, a college professor in New York City who has written a book on narcissism and teaches a course which she states has a goal of helping people recognize a narcissistic lover. By sheer coincidence her colleague Diane (Sherry Cola) is currently involved in a narcissistic relationship with another woman AND Judy’s daughter Eva (Ciara Bravo) has developed a whirlwind romance with a doctor which is heading toward a quick wedding. To Judy, everyone – especially men – have narcissistic tendencies. Without seemingly any regard for their classes, Judy and Diane fly across the country to Los Angeles to knock some sense into Eva.
The way Judy is portrayed is as a bitter woman who was damaged by Eva’s narcissistic father. EVERYTHING she talks about pertains to this psychological condition. For half the film, she defines the term in great detail to anyone who will partially listen. She’s like a recent grad school student who wants to impart their newly developed wisdom to the world. However, Judy has been a professional for MUCH longer than that. Narcissism is her whole world – perhaps without realizing it, she fits the definition herself. The character is overly analytic and overly protective of Eva. Sadly, Tomei goes too far and broad with the portrayal, emoting and reacting like she is in a situation comedy. The script also has Judy and Diane spying and lurking around the doctor to find out more about him. They make schemes that are supposed to be funny but come across as unrealistic and immature.
While appearing to be the classic man-hater woman, she does meet the owner of the inn she is staying at and he just happens to be a super nice widower. Will he change this cold, damaged woman? Well, you can only guess at the answer based on the “rom com” tone of the film.
Yet Allison and Milly’s script doesn’t stray too far in their assertions about men. Maybe what Judy is saying is right and perhaps Eva should be more careful with this sudden relationship. If that’s the case, then most of the men aren’t given a chance to get off the hook and maybe Judy’s research about them and other narcissists is worth all of the dissections and warnings. Maybe.
The film ultimately doesn’t go very deep and stays within the realm of a contrived comedy. It features clichés of men and rich people that it doesn’t really try to understand. Yes, the settings are very beautiful and romantic but shouldn’t Judy get back to her students and stop playing the nagging mother? But then, if you’re right about everything, you’re not really nagging? Right?!
You’re Dating a Narcissist is currently playing in theaters.
FILM: YOU’RE DATING A NARCISSIST
DIRECTED BY: ANN MARIE ALLISON
STARRING: MARISA TOMEI, CIARA BRAVO, SHERRY COLA
RATING: 2 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Let’s talk for a minute about Marisa Tomei. Yes, she won a deserved Oscar for My Cousin Vinny and was nominated two other times for very good performances in In the Bedroom and The Wrestler. Maybe there really aren’t many good parts for exceptional Hollywood actresses because Tomei hasn’t had the opportunity to show off her chops now in quite some time. You’re Dating a Narcissist doesn’t change that. It’s features Tomei giving an unfortunately over-the-top performance in a film that wants her to be a feminist but instead makes her unlikeable and annoying.
The film was written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly who previously wrote a forgotten movie that starred other great actresses (Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Sheryl Lee Ralph) called The Fabulous Four which currently has a 4.9 score on IMDB. Not something to be proud of. Somehow Allison got Tomei to take the lead role in this new project which she also directed. Tomei plays Judy, a college professor in New York City who has written a book on narcissism and teaches a course which she states has a goal of helping people recognize a narcissistic lover. By sheer coincidence her colleague Diane (Sherry Cola) is currently involved in a narcissistic relationship with another woman AND Judy’s daughter Eva (Ciara Bravo) has developed a whirlwind romance with a doctor which is heading toward a quick wedding. To Judy, everyone – especially men – have narcissistic tendencies. Without seemingly any regard for their classes, Judy and Diane fly across the country to Los Angeles to knock some sense into Eva.
The way Judy is portrayed is as a bitter woman who was damaged by Eva’s narcissistic father. EVERYTHING she talks about pertains to this psychological condition. For half the film, she defines the term in great detail to anyone who will partially listen. She’s like a recent grad school student who wants to impart their newly developed wisdom to the world. However, Judy has been a professional for MUCH longer than that. Narcissism is her whole world – perhaps without realizing it, she fits the definition herself. The character is overly analytic and overly protective of Eva. Sadly, Tomei goes too far and broad with the portrayal, emoting and reacting like she is in a situation comedy. The script also has Judy and Diane spying and lurking around the doctor to find out more about him. They make schemes that are supposed to be funny but come across as unrealistic and immature.
While appearing to be the classic man-hater woman, she does meet the owner of the inn she is staying at and he just happens to be a super nice widower. Will he change this cold, damaged woman? Well, you can only guess at the answer based on the “rom com” tone of the film.
Yet Allison and Milly’s script doesn’t stray too far in their assertions about men. Maybe what Judy is saying is right and perhaps Eva should be more careful with this sudden relationship. If that’s the case, then most of the men aren’t given a chance to get off the hook and maybe Judy’s research about them and other narcissists is worth all of the dissections and warnings. Maybe.
The film ultimately doesn’t go very deep and stays within the realm of a contrived comedy. It features clichés of men and rich people that it doesn’t really try to understand. Yes, the settings are very beautiful and romantic but shouldn’t Judy get back to her students and stop playing the nagging mother? But then, if you’re right about everything, you’re not really nagging? Right?!
You’re Dating a Narcissist is currently playing in theaters.