Together movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Together

This BBC2 film airs in the USA in August 2021.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

The official summary of this dark comedy movie from Bleeker Street says: “This is the story of a family, like so many, who found a way to survive — together. It is the hilarious and heartbreaking story of a husband and wife who are forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship through the reality of lockdown.” The movie is directed by Academy Award-nominated Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin.

Speaking about the movie, writer Dennis Kelly explains: “Together is about a couple who totally hate each other, but have somehow found a way of existing together by not talking to, thinking about, noticing, communicating with or being in the same room as each other — then lockdown happens. It’s about how humans negotiate their shared experiences when they think they have nothing in common other than staying alive, and it’s about how you can hate what you love and love what you hate. And Sharon Horgan and James McAvoy are brilliant in it.”

THINGS I LIKED:

I LOVE LOVE James McAvoy and think he’s such an incredibly talented actor. He gives a fantastic performance in this, as expected. The truth is that he’s a brilliant chameleon of an actor. Some actors play the same character in all of their films, but he absolutely doesn’t. To me, that’s true acting.
When James McAvoy learned that Sharon Horgan would be cast in the role opposite him, he said it was a no-brainer to join the project.
I think the first time Sharon Horgan was on my radar was when I saw her in MILITARY WIVES. She is an equal match for McAvoy which is an impressive feat.
I appreciated the little details from the very beginning such as the stockpiling of toilet paper we see in the first scene, the evolution of mask-wearing, and changing artwork on the wall created by the son who is partly being homeschooled during the pandemic, etc.
Hidden among the ugly zingers about each other are sweet compliments and sparks of true love between these two people.
Super entertaining writing by Tony Award-winner Dennis Kelly. It’s emotionally raw, brutally honest, witty, and real. The amount of lines that need to be memorized and delivered by the two actors is astounding. The movie was shot in only 10 days.
The characters’ names are “He” and “She” because they represent all of us and what we have all gone through during the pandemic this past year.
Stephen Daldry has created some truly unique films with touching lessons and insights like The Hours, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.
The last conversation the couple had was touching and I thought the final shot of the neighboring kids jumping on their trampolines was perfect.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It would be exhausting to have to be locked down in quarantine with these people. Most people would prefer getting Covid to spending more time with them.
I feel guilty because my family’s quarantine experience has been VERY different from what this movie portrays, almost peaceful and enjoyable, despite the horrifying numbers of deaths and fear humanity has gone through all around me.
Some viewers won’t enjoy how the actors break the 4th wall and talk directly to the camera with no explanation of who the third person is supposed to be.
Some viewers won’t be interested in watching this because they’ll feel like they already experienced it for themselves.
I felt so bad for the son, Artie, to have to live in such a toxic environment.
I thought the closing song choice was odd.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be totally bored.
Profanity, including many F-bombs.
The couple talks about their intimate relations.
There is quite a bit of political talk. He and She have completely different political philosophies and the writer’s own perspective peeks through in moments.

THEMES:

Marriage
Relationships
Dysfunctional families
Communication
Anger
Fear
Hurt
Quarantine
Judging others

FUNNY LINES:

“Now I think you have the same amount of charm as diarrhea in a pint glass.” – She (Sharon Horgan)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Nobody seems to know anything.” – He (James McAvoy)
“I think there’s a chance, that somehow we’ve ended up in this place, that is the love that exists beyond here. It’s unique.” – He (James McAvoy)
“Timing matters.” – She (Sharon Horgan)
“The love that exists beyond hate. I don’t think a lot of people get there.” – He (James McAvoy)
“I don’t want to go back to normal.” – She (Sharon Horgan)