Movie Review: ‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’ – Age, Desire, and Reality

There seem to be several unwritten rules about dating older partners. And those rules feel even more rigid when the older partner is a woman. Society tends to look twice, question intentions, and sometimes outright dismiss the possibility that something genuine could exist in that space.

‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story’, written and directed by Debra Markowitz, is a somewhat provocative yet interesting feature film that leans directly into that discomfort and finds something surprisingly tender within it.

It tells the story of Carter Morgan, a 26-year-old whose dream woman happens to be his childhood friend’s mother, Lisa Chase. When Carter finds out she’s recently divorced, he decides to go for it, unprepared for the adversity he would face from Lisa’s ex-husband, Jeff, who is reluctant to let go. Also, Carter has to face the disapproval of his parents, who have known Lisa for years.

The narrative wastes no time and dives right into the story from the jump. Quickly, Carter and Lisa’s relationship is established, and the obstacles they need to navigate are presented. It starts all fun and sexy for them, but once the problems start reeling in, things get serious and emotional.

The film stars actor/comedian Travis Grant and actor Bec Fordyce as the leads, Carter and Lisa Chase. From the very beginning, there’s an ease between them that pulls you in. Without a doubt, the chemistry between these two just works perfectly, making this story very believable. You’re not watching a gimmick or a “what if” scenario. You are watching two people trying to figure out something real, even when the world around them insists otherwise.

Travis Grant, beyond his charming boyish looks, brings a genuine sincerity to the character of Carter. There’s a softness and honesty in how he approaches Lisa that makes it clear he’s not chasing a fleeting fantasy or some story to brag about later. Carter feels grounded in intention. In one of the film’s more defining moments, when he sits down with his father Richard (played by Robert Clohessy) to talk about his relationship with Lisa, you see that duality. He is still someone’s son, but also a man standing firm in his choices. It’s a scene that reinforces the emotional core of his character.

Bec Fordyce, on the other hand, feels like the perfect choice for Lisa Chase. She carries the weight of the character with a kind of lived-in authenticity. Through her performance, we see the hesitation, the fear of judgment, the curiosity, and that very human desire to be loved. Lisa isn’t written as someone reckless. She’s cautious, aware, and constantly negotiating her own feelings against the expectations placed on her. Bec Fordyce’s performance brings all of that to life in a way that feels both vulnerable and controlled.

For someone like me, who has always found women older than myself very attractive, this film felt very close to home. It presents all the possible questions and scenarios that relationships with age gaps can bring. From societal expectations to the quieter, more internal struggles, like those moments of doubt, fear, insecurity, and judgment. It all feels familiar and honest. The film doesn’t try to oversimplify these dynamics, and that’s where it finds its strength. It just reminds you that yes, these issues do come up in such situations.

Even though the film is tagged as a romantic dramedy, it keeps the balance very well. It doesn’t lean too heavily into comedy, and it never fully dives into being an intense romantic drama either. It exists comfortably in between, allowing moments to breathe. There are a few scenes that will genuinely leave a smile on your face from ear to ear, not because they’re trying too hard, but because they feel earned. But the sexual chemistry between the two leads is well-detailed and executed.

What stands out most about Wait List: A Love-ish Story is its willingness to embrace realism. It doesn’t force a fairytale ending or try to convince you that love conquers all in the most dramatic way possible. Instead, it acknowledges that timing, circumstance, and emotional baggage all play a role in how relationships unfold. And sometimes, even when something feels right, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will last.

I will score this film 6.5/10. It is one that you can watch over and over again, yet it doesn’t completely blow you away. Maybe that’s not what it’s meant to do. What it really leaves you with is the understanding that love can indeed work regardless of age gaps. And that communication and an equal measure of effort from both sides is what is truly required to make it work.

‘Wait List: A Love-ish Story‘ will be available on Prime Video starting April 2nd via Indie Rights Movies, before rolling out to YouTube, Google Play, Tubi, and other streaming platforms. You should definitely add this to your watch list.