Voicemails for Isabelle is a strong romcom. It’s strong because of its well done secondary theme about learning to live with grief and loss. The romcom part is well done, but nothing unusual.

Voicemails for Isabelle stars Zoey Deutch as Jill. Jill is big sister to Isabelle (Ciara Bravo), who recently died of cystic fibrosis. The two sisters were very close and shared a huge amount of love for each other. The film is as much about the sisters growing up and the details of their relationship as it is about Jill finding love later in life.

Jill is from Austin, but when Isabelle dies, she is working in San Francisco for the horrible but famous Chef Bastien (Nick Offerman). Jill and Isabelle loved to cook together and invented some great recipes, but Chef won’t let her do anything but chop kumquats.

Jill’s way of coping is to listen to all her old voicemails from Isabelle over and over. She also calls Isabelle’s old phone number and leaves voicemails for her dead sister. Long, revealing voicemails.

Wes (Nick Robinson) is now the owner of Isabelle’s old phone number. He listens to all the voicemails and falls in love with the crazy girl who leaves messages for a dead sister. He knows everything about Jill – where she hangs out, who she dates, how work is going, where she lives.

Wes heads for San Francisco where he manages to meet Jill and start dating her without ever revealing what he knows and how. Jill has had a string of terrible dates in the past, but this guy is perfect! He likes all the same things she likes, he’s funny, and good looking.

Progress happens with Jill’s job, her voicemail habit, and her happiness level. It’s looking good.

Then Wes invites Jill to be his plus one at Andy (Harry Shum Jr.) and Breeda (Leah McKendrick) wedding. Leah McKendrick wrote and directed the movie, in addition to playing this part. The wedding is where the secrets come out and the breakup comes. After that it’s a race to make up and reach the happy ending.

Voicemails for Isabelle is a perfect combination of sadness and joy. The result is cathartic on both levels. If you’re looking for something both touching and uplifting with a satisfying happy ending, this movie on Netflix will do the trick for you.