The One I Love (2014) Review

The One I Love is a predictable and depressing journey. That's not to say it's bad, not in the slightest, rather it's a hard watch, but a rewarding one at that. 

The One I Love is about Ethan (Mark Duplass, Blue Jay) and Sophie (Elisabeth Moss, The Square) a couple who've fallen out of love, and by instruction from their therapist, retreat to a nice home to rekindle what they've lost. On the surface it sounds like a standard romantic fare, but this film is often anything but; it is a complex mystery that offers twists and turns and moments of extreme discomfort. I don't want to say too much about The One I Love, it's just more enjoyable the less you know. But, rest assured this film's main purpose is to make you sad. 

The script by Justin Lader (The Discovery) tackles ordinary fears about relationships, and creates both sympathetic yet dis-likable characters. Ethan has cheated on Sophie, but Sophie's actions throughout the film are no better. And yet there was no point where I hated any of them; the script makes their reasoning at times somehow feel somewhat justified, regardless how insane their actions truly are. This film also builds a sense of unease and discomfort from the get go; the weird therapist, to the strange and labyrinth-like layout of the villa, to the events that follow; all of these create dread, unease and often disgust. This is the films strongest aspect as it not only allows the film to depart from any cliche, but also enables it to build upon what seems to be a fairly weak plot. At times the film can feel repetitive, and yet each repetition is there to build up upon the uncomfortable atmosphere, and helps the audience to form an opinion on the characters and their actions. The film is about second chances, but also about how trying to replicate the past is futile, that often a new start is the best option. The repetition helps build upon this theme as by longing for a love long lost, and by trying to have what you once did only leads to disaster in the film's finale.  

The direction and cinematography is fantastic in this film too. This is Charlie McDowell's (The Discovery) first film and it's an incredible achievement. The One I Love looks gorgeous, it has bright colours, and lavish sets and graceful, careful camera movements that initially build a false sense of security, and then contrast the rising tensions in the couple's dynamic. Furthermore, focusing on a small set allows the audience to grow to understand each location, and it perfectly mimics the close study of the characters psyche. This film could have benefited from more close ups to help establish a deeper sense of claustrophobia. However, for the most part this was an incredible visual achievement for a first time director.

The acting in this film is brilliant too. Mark Duplass is fantastic as always and plays his characters brilliantly, showing off his talented range throughout. As a paranoid and concerned husband he excells; as the incompetent detective he stumbles about and yet comes to the correct conclusions at the perfect time; and as the confident, flirtatious husband he's perfect, each performance conflicting with the other, and yet all working in perfect unison. Elisabeth Moss is great too and she manages to portray both an emotionally distraught character, one we feel sorry for, and a horrible character too, something rarely accomplished to such an excellent degree.

However, this movie has problems. Its biggest flaw is its music; it often feels far too bombastic or comical for the events unfolding, such as a tense encounter between Ethan and Sophie while loud "silly" music is blaring in the background. There are moments where it helps add to the tension, for example toward the end, but it rarely helps and can often be a distraction. Its other issue is that this film is hard to watch. It's not really a "fun" movie, and its brilliance at building an uneasy atmosphere can be to its detriment depending on what type of film you're in the mood for. Their lack of love for one another, and a motif of cheating throughout, made me uncomfortable. It's clear that the bright colours are meant to mimic that of a comedy of a light-hearted romantic movie, which makes its conflict with the film's unfortunately, yet brilliantly hard-to-watch themes that much more interesting, yet even harder to watch. I am not averse to watching sad movies, I often do, but as its sadness comes from a couple who simply do not love each other, something I simply do not want to think about, it didn't ruin the experience, but was too depressing to warrant a second watch. 

I like The One I Love; I think it is clever (if not a little predictable), wonderfully written, and gorgeous looking. It has its fair share of problems, but none that totally ruin the experience. If you're in the mood for a clever, albeit depressing, film then The One I Love is probably for you. And if you're a fan of any one involved, then you're certainly in for a treat. 

6/10