Delta Goodrem’s acting again.
This is very, very good news.
Delta started out in the Aussie soap opera Neighbours, did the film adaptation of Hating Alison Ashley, and played Olivia Newton John in a miniseries called Hopelessly Devoted To You. She can act! But because she has the voice of an angel sent from above, she’s best known for her music. Her services to vulnerable girl pop music are unmatched and she is a national treasure.
And now - I could just kiss her agent - she’s in a romcom called Love Is In The Air.
Here’s the premise: Delta’s a pilot. She wears sensible shirts, shorts, and boots. She hasn’t got time for a personal life; she’s too busy flying supplies to remote communities! She lives like this to fulfil her dead mother’s wishes (to keep the family seaplane business going). It takes a storm, a little intervention from her best friend, and a handsome finance man from the other side of the world to make her see what her dead mother’s wishes truly were all along (for Delta to be happy!!!!!!!!!!).
It’s perfect from start to finish.
Anyone who says otherwise has forgotten how to feel joy.
Delta’s seaplane romance is currently the number one film on Netflix in countless countries around the world. And with good reason: it’s comfort watching at its finest. It’s got everything you could want from this genre. Exquisite scenery! Beautiful people! Gentle humour! The stares are lingering, the partial nudity is tasteful, and the supporting characters are endearing. There could have been more smooching, but that’s my only complaint.
Best of all, for a sensitive marshmallow like myself: The moments of peril are so brief and any conflict so quickly resolved, you barely have time to produce enough cortisol to worry. Its predictability is deeply, deeply reassuring.
This film is meditative to watch. It’s a gift. It’s one hour and 28 minutes of simple delight.
The beauty of movies like this is that, in the right state of mind, any “plot hole” or “narrative flaw” is actively part of the enjoyment.
Do we ever find out why a London-based private equity firm invested in a one-woman flying company in Far North Queensland? Of course not.
Is the lead male actor an Aussie doing a questionable English accent, or a British man whose own natural voice is unconvincing? Who knows! Not me! I’m not looking it up because I REVEL in the not knowing.
Most importantly, would I let Delta Goodrem fly me anywhere she wants in a small, half-century-old plane? Yes. Definitely. Without a moment’s hesitation. Where do I get my ticket, let’s do aeroplane karaoke on the way.
I am not for one minute joking when I say that this is essential viewing. We (as a people; not me personally) watch too much grim stuff. Too much true crime, too many gritty dramas. It cannot be good for us. Before I implemented a strict joy-only television policy in our household, I watched the harrowing Olivia Coleman series Broadchurch. If I’m not careful, I start replaying scenes from that show in my head all these years later and I am harrowed all over again. I have had to watch every season of Taskmaster twice to replenish my serotonin.
Look, my darlings, watch as many seaside village murder shows as you like, but let me say this: they are probably making you a less pleasant person. HA
Perhaps you are able to watch fictional television shows without any adverse emotional effects, and well done. Lovely compartmentalising from you. I take the mood of a TV show straight into my heart and carry it around with me for far too long, so I adjust my viewing schedule accordingly. It didn’t occur to me to do this for ages (I watched one of the SAW movies once! And I never get to un-watch it!) so I bring it up here, now, in case it helps.
One of the great, urgent truths of human existence is that we’ve gotta get joy where we can. To this end, more gentle Delta Goodrem movies, please and thank you. For my nerves.
P.s. It’s the 20th anniversary of Delta’s first album, Innocent Eyes. It was the soundtrack to my teenage years and I have been singing along it to loudly this week. I suggest you do the same.
P.p.s. I joined Substack because I wanted to actually talk to people who read my things. So reply to this! Comment below! What’s your favourite romcom? How much do you love Delta? Do you secretly think you' could fly a seaplane without any training?
P.p.p.s. I forgot to mention last time that if you are receiving this you’ve either subscribed recently (thank you!) OR you subscribed to my old newsletter ages ago (thank you!) and I carried across my subscriber list. OK love you bye xx
ABOUT ME: I’m Kate, the writer of this newsletter. I’m the author of two books, one about friendship and one about dogs. I’m writing my first novel, represented by Jemima Forrester at David Higham. Career highlights include having best straight male author Jon Ronson on my dog podcast, meeting Zendaya IRL, and a really nice phone call with Nicole Kidman. You can find out more about me at kateleaver.com
Is the sea plane called Harriet?! Say no more!!
I was more of a Natalie Imbruglia fan but on this recommendation will look forward to the serotonin!