The One I Love
Directed by: Charlie McDowell
Cast: Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss
Running Time: 1 hr 31 mins
Rating: R
Release Date: August 22, 2014 (Chicago)
PLOT: A husband (Duplass) and wife (Moss) evaluate their marriage during a strange vacation.
WHO'S IT FOR? Those looking for a different kind of insightful romantic comedy.
OVERALL
One of the most precious pieces of going to movies in the summer of 2014 is the twist waiting at the art house within The One I Love. To call it a twist is unconventional regarding its earlier time within the movie; it arrives within 15 minutes of the plot, but it affects the entire course. The movie completely changes, and what seems standard becomes something more different. And this twist is so good, so clever, and so well-executed, that it deserves to be protected for those who are not aware of it. To be clear, the film has worth beyond its surprising concept. But if you can avoid the spoiler spoiler hunger modern media's forum, then there's the benefit of discovering a new idea within the original romantic comedy thriller The One I Love.
A credit the craftiness of Justin Laden's original screenplay, the relationship-driven film only starts off plainly. Ethan (Duplass) and Sophie (Moss) are in the narrows of their marriage, and consult a therapist (played by, of all people, Ted Danson). After some discussion, he advises them to stay at a certain home out in the mountains that has worked well for patients before, and has sent them returned to him feeling better than ever. The couple take this offer to see what can be done within a vacation's time to fix their marriage. Once they enter the guesthouse of the estate in which they're staying, they become a part of something larger than themselves, and soon, something that could destroy or fortify their relationship.
The One I Love is a clever, playful, and always insightful foray into its own unforgettable mystery, with the fortified chemistry of a well-cast Duplass and Moss providing an excellent surrogate. As its two leads attempt to understand what is going on, control it, and then decide what to ultimately do about it, The One I Love has a unique tone wavering between comedy and thriller. Actualizing its premise with impressively practical means, The One I Love is steered by its ideas and then enlivened by its unique attitude.
Defined by its originality and directed with confidence from first-timer Charlie McDowell, the movie is so perceptive through its premise. Its playful mystery soon expands into a climactic moment, a big and horrifically real question; without a drop of blood, in a single location and with only two actors, The One I Love earns its biggest sense of anxiety in how it reflects back upon its viewers.
FINAL SCORE: 8/10