The One I Love will have you questioning everything you know about your significant other in the best way possible
It is nearly impossible to write anything about this movie without spoiling the twist, but alas, here we are. Ethan (Mark Duplass, currently seen every movie ever) and Sophie (Elizabeth Moss, who should be seen in more movies) are not happy. This is obvious from the moment we meet them in the middle of a marriage counseling session. Both characters speak to one another but are incapable of actually listening to what the other has to say. Their marriage counselor (Ted Danson, the only other actor to appear in the film) suggests a weekend getaway to smooth out the rough patch the couple is going through. Out of necessity, Ethan and Sophie agree to give it a try.
The retreat takes place in a gigantic house, complete with a swimming pool and a mysterious guest house. This is where writing about the film gets difficult. It becomes impossible to peel your eyes from the screen the second shit hits the fan, but to describe the events that follow here would be to spoil the entire movie.
That being said, this film would not work at all without the excellent performances given by Duplass and Moss. Duplass’s Ethan is the type of guy who read Ulysses back in college and still refers to it as his favorite book ever. Moss’s Sophie is the kind of woman who knows that this is bullshit. Still, the chemistry between the two is undeniable, and they keep you completely engaged throughout the 91-minute running time.
Credit must also be given to cinematographer Doug Emmett, who adds beautiful strokes of sunlight to the daytime scenes, as well as moodier dark tones for the nighttime scenes. Towards the second half of the film, as the tension amps up between the couple, Emmett manages to create palpable suspense by shooting from a variety of different angles from the shadows. Towards the end of the film, I noticed that my nails were nowhere to be found.
Overall, I thought the film had interesting and thoughtful things to say about relationships and trusting other people, and I thought the twist gave the film a fresh perspective on a tired subject: the trials and tribulations of an upper-middle class white couple. Duplass and Moss carry the film with two incredibly dynamic turns as people at the end of their rope who are still trying to make things work. The direction is impeccable, and I can’t wait to see how McDowell chooses to follow up this wonderfully layered debut.