Todos Nós Desconhecidos

I saw this at the Cork International Film Festival, so seeing 2 Irish leads like Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal performing as they did was a tantalizing factor for me and those watching.

The film brilliantly captures one man's complex processing of grief and loss, with the protagonists particular story holding different factors for viewers to latch on to. It is a raw watch, which touches on the themes of loss, pain, and love.

The 2024 awards season should look favourably on Andrew Scott's performance in this film. His portrayal of this mans intriguing, yet sensitive approach of coming to terms with such tragic events in his life could not have been played better by any other actor. An enormous amount of credit must to go Andrew Haigh's directing and writing, who produced a flawless ensemble to play off of a script where every scene and word was situated perfectly.

All of Us Strangers is one of the most tender love stories put to film in recent memory and a frightening number of people will choose not to see it because it is a gay one at that. Just thought I'd disclose this aspect upfront so that only the worthy stick around for this read. We good? Good.

Directed by Andrew Haigh (45 Years) and based in part on the Taichi Yamada novel Strangers, this movie tells of a reclusive London-based screenwriter named Adam (Andrew Scott of Fleabag and Sherlock) who lives in an all-too-quiet apartment building where the only other living soul appears to be the oft-drunk Harry (Paul Mescal of Aftersun), who begins to act flirtily towards him. As you may have guessed, the two eventually bond and fall in love, even as Adam finds Harry a bit mysterious at first and, partly due to what he was taught re: sexuality as a youngster, isn't as comfortable with intimate touch -- initially.

Sheila O'Malley put it best when she wrote that All of Us Strangers, almost immediately, has a "surreal, almost supernatural atmosphere". I don't know how much I ought to give away, but I can tell you it's not for naught. When I say that the apartment building seems strangely quiet, I mean it seems almost unearthly; it is no surprise that the posters make use of the almost entirely dark building where only two windows are lit up -- it is an image that sets the tone.

All the same, love is discovered in this setting (this connection, taking place in an eerie realm where connections at first seem impossible, recalls 2015's Anomalisa in a lot of ways) and it isn't long before our hearts are grabbed and then broken. This oft-surreal film is nonetheless very much, devastatingly real.

Adam is also troubled by thoughts about his parents (Jamie Bell; Claire Foy) as he keeps revisiting his (ostensibly) abandoned childhood home. He has a series of dreams (or are they dreams?) where he goes through the conversations he wishes he'd had -- the sort of conversations that frankly a lot of people, be they gay children of traditionally-minded parents or not, wish they'd had with their folks; the sort of conversations we typically don't get around to before it's too late, resorting to having them in our heads, sometimes in the form of revisiting moments and trying against all logic to rewrite them.

These sequences exemplify some of the best and most emotionally honest acting of the past year. It is one of those films that make you realize how good other films aren't, particularly those of the romance variety that too often settle for tried routines and formulas while rarely doing anything stylistically intriguing or letting the actors be truly vulnerable. (I'm aware, painfully so, that that's what the crowds want; the statement I heard from a rom-com fan in high school, that "film is about hot people and satisfying endings", still echoes in my mind.)

On a similar note: as many viewers of British/English cinema will point out, this one sticks out with its artful compositions (note especially its usage of mirrors and windows), dreamlike editing, deliberate color choices, and occasional magical realism. This isn't a first or anything, but it seems we often associate English film with gritty realism -- think This is England or Billy Elliot. I assure you, though, that the English are quite capable of outstanding visual communication. There are edits and framing/blocking choices in All of Us Strangers that cut even deeper than that one "reveal" in 45 Years. If you know, you know.

Oh and of course, as a long-time fan of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, I can't forget to mention how the film uses their 1984 album Beyond the Pleasuredome, particularly their best song "The Power of Love", as a reoccurring motif; a devastating one. The music video is also referenced, in ways I cannot reveal here. Best you go see this wonderful picture before I say too much.

And remember: let yourself be beautiful.

In a movie awards season that has had more misses than hits, it's gratifying to see one that not only lives up to, but exceeds, its potential. Such is the case with writer-director Andrew Haigh's latest offering, a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of love, reflection and healing all rolled into one. To say too much about the film would invariably lead to a plethora of spoilers, but suffice it to say that it tells a genuinely moving and touching tale of a 30-something gay Londoner (Andrew Scott) and his budding relationship with a mysterious new beau (Paul Mescal), an involvement very much influenced by the protagonist's relationship with his own past, most notably his involvement with his parents (Jamie Bell, Claire Foy). This is one of those pictures that's just about perfect in virtually every regard thanks to its stringent adherence to authenticity in the writing and the portrayals of its positively stellar cast, especially the highly underrated performance by Foy, whose role has puzzlingly been flying under the radar thus far. It's also a production that will likely surprise viewers in myriad ways, defying expectations and telling a story that's anything but apparent from what's in its promotional trailer. Moreover, I'm impressed by the fact that this is an offering featuring gay characters in which their sexuality is not the principal focus of the narrative, something that truly distinguishes this feature from so many others in this genre. Add to these attributes a sensitively chosen soundtrack and some surprisingly innovative cinematography, and you've got one helluva fine movie. To be sure, this is one of those releases that, if it doesn't touch you profoundly, you'd better check to see if you have ice water coursing through your veins. "All of Us Strangers" richly deserves whatever accolades it receives. It's one of the year's best, bar none.

The only way I can describe this film is beautifully boring. The first time I watched it I could appreciate it's quality but I found it far too disconcerting and spent too much time wondering what the hell was going on to really be drawn in. A year later I revisited the movie with a little more maturity and understanding and I was completely taken aback because it was not the film I remembered. This was a masterpiece on every level. There are so many ways to interpret the film whether as a portrayal of schizophrenia or a fantasy about ghosts. However when you peel back all the layers it's so simply about loneliness. I think trying to decipher what was actually going on, what was actually real etc negates the simplicity of the film. When watching you feel that loneliness to the very core and the whole world seems to be standing still. I believe intentionally this is not a movie for everyone but the film is undeniably perfect. Andrew Haigh outdoes himself, Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal are breathtakingly good, the script heartbreaking, the soundtrack and colour scheme entrancing. It's boring - but it's meant to be. It's the only way to really capture the deep despair and loneliness of its characters, to make the audience feel as they feel. This wasn't a film made for critical acclaim or to be a box office hit. It was made to tell a beautiful story and it excells.

Had the privilege of catching this film early as it screened at the London Film Festival. I had high hopes after seeing the critics reviews and it did not disappoint.

The story follows Adam and his neighbour Harry, with whom he develops a romantic relationship with, as he deals with the grief from his parents tragic death when he was child.

The film cuts across genres. At times it is funny, sad, romantic, and even horrifying. It is a damning depiction of the loneliness epidemic among younger men while also dealing with the added challenges faced by those within the lgbt community in trying to fit in.

The chemistry between Scott and Mescal is brilliant, while Foy and Bell really hit the right note in their roles. The film is also beautifully shot and has a lovely palette of colours within.

It's a tough watch and left me with a lump in my throat for the entire final third, but it thoroughly deserves all the praise it has received so far.

9/10.