If It Isn’t Love: The Story Behind the Story

“If it isn’t love… why do I feel this way?” – New Edition

The Weekly Journey:

Every movie has an origin story, but If It Isn’t Love isn’t just a movie, it’s a movement, a comedy, and a love letter rolled into one.

Imagine this: Bridesmaids meets The Hangover, but swap out Vegas strip clubs and bachelorette drama for six Black women obsessed with New Edition. Add holiday chaos, sprinkle in unresolved friendships and old flames, then top it off with the ultimate road trip to a 90s Boy Band Holiday Festival. That’s the DNA of If It Isn’t Love.

It’s funny, messy, nostalgic, outrageous, and heartfelt all at once. The story isn’t just about a concert, it’s about sisterhood, second chances, and how far you’ll go for the music that raised you.

Memory Lane:

The original script was small, just a group of girlfriends traveling from Cleveland to Atlanta to see the Candy Girl40th Anniversary concert. Cute, right? But then the story demanded more. Bigger laughs. Bigger risks. Bigger heart.

Now, the film follows a crew of six grown women who have been bonded by New Edition since high school. Life has thrown them curveballs: divorces, careers, old grudges, and a love life or two that didn’t go according to plan. But when NE announces a once-in-a-lifetime holiday show, they drop everything and hit the road.

Only, it’s never that simple. The trip spirals into one hilarious disaster after another: car trouble, mistaken identities, surprise cameos, and one epic drag show detour at The Pink Dragon (yes, this happens). Through it all, their friendship gets tested, their secrets come out, and they rediscover themselves in ways only New Edition could inspire.

Lesson of the Week:

The story of If It Isn’t Love is about more than laughs (though trust me, you’ll laugh till your stomach hurts). It’s about the power of music to carry us through decades, and the way fandom can be family.

Just like NE4Lifers in the real world, these women show us that you’re never too old to love, laugh, or get a little wild chasing your favorite group. Sometimes the craziest road trips, the biggest messes, and the hardest truths bring you closer to yourself, and to the people you love.

Call to Action:

NE4Lifers, if your crew planned a road trip to see New Edition tomorrow, who would be the driver, who’d be the DJ, and who’d get you into trouble? 😂