Film Of The Week

There seem to be two distinct worlds of U.S. filmmaking – the huge-budgeted blockbusters that increasingly clog up the multiplexes and the usually far more interesting indie films that gain critical acclaim but often miss out on the wider audiences they deserve. The One I Love is definitely in the latter category.

If you’re a fan of Mad Men, you’ll know the talents of Elizabeth Moss (who plays Peggy). Here, she takes the female lead to play off against the little-known Mark Duplass in what is mostly a two-person film. They play Sophie and Ethan, a couple experiencing marriage problems and whose therapist (Ted Danson) advises an idyllic getaway in a country house. Apparently he’s sent other couples there who’ve somehow had their relationships fixed. 

Sophie and Ethan decide it’s worth a try to regain the affection they once had for each other, and maybe in the process find the better parts of themselves that have been lost. They arrive at the beautiful grand house and after a passionate night in the property’s smaller guest house, Sophie is upset that Ethan doesn’t seem to remember any of it. From there things become a little strange, then disconcerting and eventually very weird.

The script by Justin Lader has elements in common with Charlie Kaufman’s works such as Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, in the sense that it’s pretty surreal. It’d be a shame to give up too much of the story (as some reviews have done) as the film really does surprise with its twists. The only misstep it takes is when it tries to offer up a logical explanation for what’s going on where really the story works as a metaphor about the nature of waning romantic love and the disappointments that come with it.

Directing the film is first-time feature director, Charlie McDowell, who in an interesting bit of trivia is the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen. Steenburgen is of course now married to Ted Danson, and not only does Danson appear but Steenburgen’s voice is heard in a phonecall. McDowell creates an unnerving tension in The One I Love and is obviously a talent to watch judging by this unexpected and disarming film with two brilliant performances from Moss and Duplass.

by Vicki Englund