| The One I Love stars Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss as a married couple desperately trying to recapture the spark, magic and love of their marriage. Their therapist suggests a weekend away is all they need. A house, a gardened backyard, a pool and a guest house is theirs to make use of as they will. While both are willing to try, I would venture that both are looking too far outside themselves. | | 2014
Directed by: Charlie McDowell
Screenplay by: Justin Lader
Starring: Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss
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The film is like a romantic drama or romantic comedy with a very light feel as it questions what is a relationship? What is love? What makes up the person that you love? But these questions are all in the background at the beginning because first Ethan and Sophie (and especially the viewer) have to figure out what is going on. The genre is actually more like a science fiction mystery but keeps one foot grounded in their reality.
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| Elisabeth Moss, Mark Duplass. |
The two actors were great because with every twist in the movie the characters had to examine who they are and if they were staying true to themselves. The viewer always knew when a character was acting like they should and when they weren’t. But please be aware that you are unlikely to form any emotional connection to these characters. The viewer is on the outside of the glass, spying on this social experiment. Sometimes it seems wrong, but if it saves a marriage, is it worth it?
The poster gives me a Stepford Wives type vibe, and I think that’s a reasonable headspace to be in when the twist takes place. It’s not a horror twist but a simple psychological mystery. But it’s also not a romance, it’s about the essence of love but when it removes the emotional connection, the romance is gone too. There’s an upbeat score that insists it’s a comedy, but if you’re too busy trying to figure out what’s going on, you might forget to laugh. Either way, it is a light-hearted, mysterious look at love.
Confused? You’re supposed to be, but don’t worry the film will explain everything and in a timely fashion.
The film carries a comedic edge to it the whole way through, but if you’re actually thinking about the marital implications and the consequences to the individuals involved, it’s not really funny at all. It can be a relief that The One I Love is not reality, and real-life love is probably much simpler.
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