The One I Love (2014) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Charlie McDowell
Starring: Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss, Ted Danson
Rated: R/Region A/2:35/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Where to get it: ANCHOR BAY
The One I Love centers on Ethan (Mark Duplass) and Sophie (Elisabeth Moss), a married couple on the brink of separation. At the urging of their therapist (Ted Danson), they escape to a beautiful vacation house for a weekend getaway in an attempt to salvage what’s left of their relationship. What starts off as a relaxing and tranquil retreat soon spirals into a dizzyingly bizarre experience that forces the couple to reflect upon the complexities of their troubled partnership. Over the course of a few days, Ethan and Sophie work diligently to rediscover their better selves and embrace the unexpected as everything they once thought was real becomes more and more surreal.
I’m one of those weird folks who never read the plot on the back of a box before watching a movie. I went into this expecting some indie romantic comedy and ended up pleasantly surprised when what I was some sorta indie romantic comedy that feels like it could also have been seen inside the Twilight Zone. Basically a couple end up stuck in a location with mirror images of themselves, only they are way cooler and more attractive to their spouse counterpart. This leave the door open for them and us as the viewer to try to figure out what the heck is going on, why they have doppelgangers, and will the real couple find their way back to one another despite their flaws or end up with the bizarre version? It is strange, but it is also funny and interesting enough to suck you in along the way.
Another thing that makes this movie work is the acting of Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss. They basically play two versions of the same characters and they do it so well that they don’t even feel like the same people. This is the key to making this movie work and in the end it works out pretty well, even if they never seem to answer every question we might have. If you like odd ball comedy films, then you will dig this. I dare say at some point we dip into Lynch-like areas, but things never do get THAT dark along the way. Overall, it is a well done film that needs to be scene, but will be more liked by the more open-minded indie crowd.
- Commentary with Director Charlie McDowell and Actor Mark Duplass
- Visual Effects Reel
