All of You

With a great deal of store being set on a scientific (and expensive) test to determine relationship suitability, college best friend "Simon" (Brett Goldstein) escorts his pal "Laura" (Imogen Poots) to the clinic where they do the maths. Next thing, she's hooked up with, married and has a child with Scotsman "Lukas" (Steven Cree) and he - without the gadget's help - is living with her colleague "Andrea" (Zawe Ashton). Of course the writing is on the wall, and it isn't in code. He doesn't really want and she doesn't really want, and so yada yada off we go on a predicable tale of clandestine affection, deceit, duplicity and contrived histrionics that will test their relationship, her marriage and our patience. It's a film that really asks why? But more of us. Why are we watching? The story is wafer thin, the characterisations never quite spark and the perfectly manscaped Goldstein also drives the squarest, design-free, looking Mercedes I've ever seen. Clearly car design in the future isn't what it might be. I was completely underwhelmed by their selfish have your cake and eat it philosophy, faintly disguised as some sort of critique on the ultimate in computer-dating, and though I thought some of their banter was quite funny, that all ran out after about twenty minutes. It's watchable enough, but wait til it's on the telly as I doubt you will ever recall it.

I love Brett Goldstein so much, but even when he was doing press junkets for this, and they're interviewing him about the concept of 'The Test' I found it difficult to suspend disbelief that talk show hosts really found this to be a new concept, when there have been MANY films about this in recent years, like 2020's Soulmates or the 2021 series The One. These were not fringe films or series, so there's nothing new in that, and I'd rather they'd marketed it more honestly. Most of these (very light on the sci-fi element) productions have revealed serious problems with such a test, disturbing interpersonal conflict and struggle, despite most, except for a few idealists, having supposedly finding one's soul mate in each.

What is beautiful about this one is the scenery, the cinematography, and the wild chemistry between Goldstein and Poots. They are great together, and the yearning comes through the screen. When they cry, you cry.

I think Goldstein has it in him to write a more original screenplay, richer character development and nuance for both main and supporting actors, with a better plot. This was sweet for a first effort at writing a movie, but I would not expect it to win a solitary award nomination. Goldstein is marriage material, but this one is Kiss or Kill, in the game of Kiss, Marry, Kill.

All of You has an interesting premise and I did like how the future was shown in small details like the soulmate test, biometric hotel doors, futuristic phones, even the oversized smartwatch. Those touches felt natural and hinted at how technology creeps into everyday life.

But the film itself was not easy to watch. It made me deeply uncomfortable. The female lead's behaviour clearly hurts people around her, yet the story frames it as inevitable romance rather than showing real consequences. There is one line where she admits "we're hurting people," but nothing in the story backs that up. The people who are hurt barely exist, and the harm is brushed aside.

Knowing it was written by two men makes this choice even more frustrating. It feels like they wanted to write a "messy, flawed woman" without really engaging with what that means. Instead of honesty, the film hides behind melancholy looks and glossy surfaces. Work and family conveniently disappear and adapt to characters needs. Money, no problem!

For me, the result was a film that looks polished but avoids the moral weight that would have made it authentic.

This movie is silly, morally questionable and naive. I have other words to describe it, but these are what come to my mind first. These two characters are best friends. We have seen this story before. It never works out when it's male and female. There is always sexual tension. It always turns out badly in the end. But these are just another two victims of that idea. You'd think they would know this.

I can't give away too much. All I will say is that we have two best friends. The woman is happily married, or so she say. And the guy is the one who refuses to be with anyone else. And it's not for lack of trying. In the end, things go haywire because they can't keep their hands off of one another.

I like the performances. I like some of the scenery and it has some great romantic moments. Along with some beautiful emotional moments. But the story is something we have seen so many times before and the characters become annoying at a certain point in the film. It's an average romantic drama, but I somewhat regret watching it.

"All of You" is heart-achingly beautiful. The story delicately explores love, fate, and the choices that define us, leaving you both wistful and inspired. Brett Goldstein is incredible-not just in his performance, but for writing a story that feels so intimate, real, and emotionally resonant. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the film's subtle sci-fi twist only deepens its emotional impact. A truly unforgettable experience. This one is going to stay with me for a while.