 | Watch The One I Love (2014) online Run time: 91 min Rating: 7.3 Genres: Comedy | Drama | Romance Stars: Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss, Ted Danson |
| Storyline Struggling with a marriage on the brink of falling apart, a couple escapes for a weekend in pursuit of their better selves, only to discover an unusual dilemma that awaits them. | |
| Details: | |
| Box Office Opening Weekend: $48,059 (USA) (22 August 2014) Gross: $48,059 (USA) (22 August 2014) | |
Starts off well… and then dips it's toes straight into complete 'pedestrian' nonsense. It feels like a play, adapted or 'expanded' for cinema. With only two protagonists, the actors have to be good - or at least convincing?
ReplyDeleteMiss.Moss, I like her, can relate to her, imagine her to be sparky and interesting off screen. She's not the greatest actress, but I'm sold on her.
Mr.Dull, sorry, Mr.Dulpass on the other hand… well, what kind of actor is he? A comedian, an anti-hero, an everyman or a leading man. Is he a good actor, is he even likable? My opinion, for what it's worth… is that maybe he should stay behind the camera, or well away from cinema altogether? There are two of him in this film and that's 'two' too many.
The film is pleasantly shot, it feels like a sophomore effort, or a clichéd film school... "got to have a twist"project. If you can't fathom the ending, by half an hour in mark... you've probably had a recent lobotomy.
In conclusion…yes, the person we might 'magically' want our partners to be, isn't actually who they really are. So, if they were suddenly our 'idolised image of perfection' …they wouldn't be, who they once were. In fact, our loved one... would now be a stranger to us. But I don't think you need this film and especially the presence of Mr.Dull, to tell us this.
Greetings again from the darkness. Starting out with a typical marriage counseling session, director Charlie McDowell and writer Justin Lader lull us into a movie-going comfort zone based on our experience with such Hollywood fluff as Hope Springs and Couples Retreat. All that should be said at this point is ... not so fast!
ReplyDeleteA crumbling marriage and the subsequent lack of success with communication, leads therapist (Ted Danson) to recommend a weekend alone at a private country estate. The twists and turns that await Ethan (Mark Duplass) and Sophie (Elisabeth Moss), take marriage counseling to an entirely new spectrum. Sophie wants to reignite that early relationship spark and Ethan just wants things back to normal.
The setting does justice to the legend of beautiful California real estate, but things aren't all they seem as Ethan and Sophie bounce back and forth between the main house and guest house. It's in these moments where the big relationship questions are addressed ... and the script is smart, funny, creative and dark. It's not likely anyone can watch this without having some inner dialogue, and probably even some real discussion afterwards.
Mark Duplass ("The League", Safety Not Guaranteed) and Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men") not only carry the film, but also take on significant responsibility with wide-ranging personality traits and subtle physical changes. Duplass is exceptional and easy for most guys to relate to in how he handles the challenges. While I've never been a big fan of Ms. Moss, her performance here is quite impressive. Whether "together" or "apart", they complement each other nicely.
The closest comparison I have for this one is Ruby Sparks (2012), but this one will have you questioning what makes a relationship work and what should we really expect in our partner. The idea of recapturing the initial spark is absurd, but that doesn't lessen the need for realistic expectations. For the first feature from director Charlie McDowell (son of Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen) and writer Justin Lader, the unique and creative approach to such a complex topic make these two people to keep an eye on.
I'm a huge fan of the Duplasse brothers and of Elizabeth Moss and I saw this film at the Montclair (NJ) Film Festival and enjoyed it very much. The description doesn't do it justice BUT to provide a more in-depth description would have to include spoilers and this is a film that you DON'T want to have spoiled for you. Both Moss and Duplasse are charming in this clever dramedy with real meaning for those of us for whom a long- term marriage carries with it both discomfort and comfort. Ted Danson plays a marriage counselor who sends this couple off for a weekend that he guarantees will help repair their badly broken connection. But they are in for a wealth of surprises over the weekend. Lots of humorous bits but it is basically a serious look at long-term relationships and how people have to come to terms with what they truly want.
ReplyDeleteSo I recently saw this film having no idea what it was about, and I'm glad I saw it without having seen a trailer or reading a synopsis because my review/warning can be more honest and less bias.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I want to explain that this is mostly going to be a warning rather than a review, but I won't spoil anything critical to the movie. I want to begin by saying that there is one particularly huge plot hole that will leave some people annoyed (I was one of those people). Secondly, the last fifteen minutes of this film is very strange and a bit confusing. Genre-wise, this is a science fiction comedy. The combination of the two is interesting in this one. Finally, after you watch this movie you will feel one of these ways: disgusted, confused, satisfied, or entertained. I don't think anyone will absolutely love this film, but then again I may be giving a bias opinion.
Now for my review: Though I found this film to be hilarious, it is also a let down for me. I think Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass are good actors, but one of two things happened in this movie. 1) They were cheated from the director, or 2) they were the wrong choice for the two leads. Their chemistry was excellent, but there is something in the film (which I won't spoil) that shows another side of their acting and that side I didn't like entirely. The setting is gorgeous, the lighting is great, and the imagery is pretty (the cinematography is not great though). The script is funny, and there is a unique premise to it. Unfortunately, the ending is a little muddled and I wish I had known if the writer intended it to end the movie another way. Overall, I honestly can't decide whether I would recommend this film or not. It's kind of like convincing someone who is scared easily to see a really good scary movie, except in this case I am a confused person trying to say as much as I can about the film without giving away any critical aspects of the movie. I guess when (or if) you see a trailer, you should decide yourself if this is something you'd want to see.