Together

source: Together

I'm not sure where to start with this review. Do I compliment the actors, the British film industry, the writers? They all deserve praise for producing a film that is an hour and a half long, set in one room, that is so full or emotion that we can all share, at least in the UK. I cried with the characters and laughed with them too. My experience of the past 18 months has been different from the characters in this film, but I've seen this story, and similar, across the country and feel the pain of the sensible and the frustration at the idiots. Well done, Arty Films, this is a truly exceptional film.

Wow, the two leads were awesome. Totally perfect acting. Masterclass. Well written and directed. I laughed, cried and just watched in awe of the performances. Brilliant!

First of all let me say that I normally like James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan. Sharon Horgan is normally a good comedian so I was looking forward to see what kind of comedy this would be. I read another reviewer stating she cried and laughed during the entire movie, it was that good, so yes I was looking forward to it. But what a disappointment it turned out to be. As if we were already not bombarded enough with the Covid propaganda every day, somebody had the great idea (that's sarcasm by the way) to make a boring movie about it. All you get is a neverending conversation between James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan. Sometimes also a neverending monologue about their stupid opinion of the whole crisis. A complete letdown. I know it's just a movie but at one point I couldn't stand their faces anymore, hopefully this feeling will go away when they appear in another movie. I can't believe anybody enjoyed this stinker. Highly overrated if you ask me. But if you hadn't enough of the Covid propaganda, you know that thing they write 30 articles about per day in every newspaper, that thing you hear non-stop about on the news since two years, then yes you will enjoy this piece of garbage.

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. You can see my full review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel.

Greetings again from the darkness. As expected, we are beginning to see an influx of "pandemic" movies and TV shows. What wasn't expected is the unique and creative approach in this one from Co-directors Stephen Daldry (THE HOURS, 2002) and Justin Martin. The script is from Dennis Kelly and the writing, directing, and acting all work together seamlessly to create quite an unusual viewing experience. The weight of the movie rests on the outstanding performances from James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan (GAME NIGHT, 2018). They don't simply break the fourth wall, they outright obliterate it. These two characters, whose names we never learn, talk directly to us viewers at least as often as they do to each other. The story begins in March 2020 on the first day of COVID quarantine, and carries through for a full year. As we open, the relationship has admittedly run its course, though as the days go by, circumstances can change things. The two are joined in the house by 10 year old son Artie (Samuel Logan), who spends an inordinate amount of time hovering in the background, hearing the two adults say things he shouldn't hear. They appear to devote very little time to the boy's stress ... although their own feelings are front and center. It's a bit off-putting at first as we adjust to the couple speaking directly to us. On top of that, the sharing of personal information and the overlapping dialogue of their caustic exchanges meant to hurt, make this feel a bit like we are intruding. But the conversations are so relatable since we've all experienced the uncertainty and frustration wrought by the pandemic. In a short amount of time, we understand these two. He shares the story of his early confrontation with a grocery clerk over his son's food choices, while she explains the guilt associated with an ailing elderly mother during a lockdown. Their "mushroom" story is certainly one for the ages, and again, provides much insight into these two people of distinctly opposite political spectrums. Daldry and Martin filmed this in just 10 days, and with the entire piece taking place on the lower level of the couple's flat, the film has a definite stage feel - accentuated by the long takes and aura of live performances. The dialogue stands in for action, and Ms. Horgan's explanation of the reality of "exponential growth" in regards to COVID is one of the most stunning math classes you'll attend. This is a case study of personalities and the relationship effects of a pandemic, and it is infused with enough dark comedy to keep it entertaining, rather than depressing. Some similarities exist to the SXSW film THE END OF US, though this one is quite a different viewing experience. Bleeker Street is releasing TOGETHER in theaters on 8/27/21 and digitally on 9/14/21.

A reflection on the incompetent response by the UK government. Riveting, funny, heartbreaking!

Tired of this "Here is Our Family" movie tripe. Keep it. Zero Stars.

Together is a curious Covid drama of a warring unmarried couple played by James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan. Both are on the verge of splitting up until they are both stuck together in lockdown. It gives them a chance to reassess their relationship as well have monologues on the effect of Covid in their lives. The couple are a contrast. The man is Tory supporting business owner, happy to flash the cash if need be and mocking key workers when the mood takes him. The woman is a lefty charity worker but condescending with it as well. Directed by the acclaimed Stephen Daldry. Together strives to be a modern version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Both characters can be extremely cruel and mean to each other. It is a spiky unflinching drama but to me it felt like a stage play. Together worked better when it tackled the issues relating to Covid. I had little time for the couple's relationship problems.

Filthy language and more like a discussion with the audience. Thankfully we got our tickets switched to see a different movie.