The One I Love (2014)
April 10, 2020 9:25 AM - Subscribe
A troubled couple vacate to a beautiful getaway, but bizarre circumstances further complicate their situation.
The One I love, written by Justin Lader, was produced by Mel Eslyn and executive produced by Mark Duplass who stars opposite Elisabeth Moss. On the brink of separation, Ethan (Duplass) and Sophie (Moss) escape to a beautiful vacation house for a weekend getaway in an attempt to save their marriage. What begins as a romantic and fun retreat soon becomes surreal, when an unexpected discovery forces the two to examine themselves, their relationship, and their future.
Anne Brodie: The One I Love is a domestic sci-fi mystery/romance that tests the limit of love, trust and renewal. But let’s face it, there’s something really creepy about it. The enchanted cottage is a familiar film trope. It’s a place away from social norms where wounded souls go to recover. To rebuild love and hope. But if this is what it’s like, where knowing betrayal is present while pretending to heal, it’s a sorry place. It’s tragic. Despite how pretty everything looks, it’s all selfish pretense. And just who was that doctor anyway?
Michael O'Sullivan: That’s because the film’s biggest trick is the one it plays on the audience. “The One I Love” manages to work both as a metaphor and as a slightly surreal form of kitchen-sink drama. Duplass and Moss are so good, and their reactions to the frankly nutty circumstances of the film are so plausible, that the preposterous premise of the story hits home both conceptually and emotionally.
Morgan Rojas: Relationship pitfalls and insecurities in movies are some of the most commonly seen story lines, and making them seem believable should be considered an art. In that sense, McDowell is an artist- in pairing up indie funny man Mark Duplass with Mad Men‘s Elisabeth Moss, this unlikely screen duo play off of each other’s energy, which is sure to leave audiences mesmerized by their standout performances. They act alongside each other as husband and wife (almost) the entirety of the film, but not once does their presence dull or feel worn out.
Trailer
The One I love, written by Justin Lader, was produced by Mel Eslyn and executive produced by Mark Duplass who stars opposite Elisabeth Moss. On the brink of separation, Ethan (Duplass) and Sophie (Moss) escape to a beautiful vacation house for a weekend getaway in an attempt to save their marriage. What begins as a romantic and fun retreat soon becomes surreal, when an unexpected discovery forces the two to examine themselves, their relationship, and their future.
Anne Brodie: The One I Love is a domestic sci-fi mystery/romance that tests the limit of love, trust and renewal. But let’s face it, there’s something really creepy about it. The enchanted cottage is a familiar film trope. It’s a place away from social norms where wounded souls go to recover. To rebuild love and hope. But if this is what it’s like, where knowing betrayal is present while pretending to heal, it’s a sorry place. It’s tragic. Despite how pretty everything looks, it’s all selfish pretense. And just who was that doctor anyway?
Michael O'Sullivan: That’s because the film’s biggest trick is the one it plays on the audience. “The One I Love” manages to work both as a metaphor and as a slightly surreal form of kitchen-sink drama. Duplass and Moss are so good, and their reactions to the frankly nutty circumstances of the film are so plausible, that the preposterous premise of the story hits home both conceptually and emotionally.
Morgan Rojas: Relationship pitfalls and insecurities in movies are some of the most commonly seen story lines, and making them seem believable should be considered an art. In that sense, McDowell is an artist- in pairing up indie funny man Mark Duplass with Mad Men‘s Elisabeth Moss, this unlikely screen duo play off of each other’s energy, which is sure to leave audiences mesmerized by their standout performances. They act alongside each other as husband and wife (almost) the entirety of the film, but not once does their presence dull or feel worn out.
Trailer
Loved this movie, even though I have an irrational dislike of both Duplass brothers. No idea why! But the movie is great and Duplass is great and Moss is especially great.
posted by ejs at 8:11 PM on April 10, 2020
posted by ejs at 8:11 PM on April 10, 2020
We watched this tonight and really enjoyed it. I definitely suggest you not think too much about it afterwards, though. The holes and loose ends are too plentiful. But, they don’t detract from the enjoyment. It’s a fun little film that just asks you to go along with it and not ask too many questions.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:43 PM on April 11, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 7:43 PM on April 11, 2020 [1 favorite]
Watched this last night (with my wife!!) and loved it. Like the best scifi it works as an exciting, weird story and also works as a metaphor, or as a bunch of metaphors. The performances were outstanding. Those two can ACT. In terms of thinking about it too much afterwards, I'm a lot more drawn to thinking about the metafophor side than about how the weird science/magic of the place would work (which agree would not stand up to any kind of scrutiny). I thought the commentary on gender and gender within heterosexual relationships was hilarious - the way that each replacement version formed themselves to fit the fantasy of the person in the couple. The ending left me with the feeling that ultimately what the movie is 'about' is how in relationships, we ultimately are drawn to only our own fantasy version of our partner, instead of the real, evolving, flawed person that they are.
posted by latkes at 7:45 PM on November 22, 2020
posted by latkes at 7:45 PM on November 22, 2020
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posted by Etrigan at 7:52 PM on April 10, 2020