by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What does it mean to love someone? Do they have to have familial bonds? Are they someone who you have been friends with for years? Or could they be someone that you feel so strongly about in a romantic and sexual way that you would want to spend the rest of your life with them? Love is a strange thing that can come into our lives in so many different ways. Sometimes we come across a love that might not make sense at first, but which shows itself to be a life-changing connection. Where do we experience such examples of love? You might not expect it in a comedy film featuring Ed Helms, of all people, but in the end, Together Together provides its audience with a unique and moving relationship.
But how does this film deliver on such a premise?
Writer-director Nikole Beckwith is definitely the driving force behind it. Together Together balances humor with real human connections. It’s about someone who wants to have a child in his life, and seeing as he is a single man, he will need a little help. The film finds that help in the form of a surrogate. It opens with a funny sequence featuring an interview between Matt (Helms) and a potential surrogate named Anna (Patti Harrison). The scene features the trademark comedy of Harrison who brings plenty of personality to a role that might not have had it. The awkward back-and-forth highlights each of their personalities while also balancing essential exposition. What a tightrope to walk on! Beckwith balances it so well and gives the film a needed sense of urgency. There is an efficiency that Beckwith brings to the table that makes the film flow so well. There might be some familiar beats in the plot, but overall, the audience is treated to an unexpected relationship. Beckwith knows that she doesn’t have to lean on too many tropes for Together Together and the film is better for it.
What draws the audience in throughout the runtime?
Tension. The audience meets our leads, Matt and Anna, and they seem like they cannot be any more different. Beckwith balances the commentary of our present time well in the film while also trying to focus on the individual trials of those watching. The subtlety of the themes presented in the film allow it to avoid feeling cliched or forced. But the film gives you enough to make you think about some things. What defines a relationship? What defines love? Why does society have such an issue with two people connecting outside of romance and friendship? Can a film thrive in a grey area populated by its characters? Together Together balances all of these aspects thanks to the clear and deft handling by Beckwith. She allows for her actors to breathe in each scene giving them the flexibility to inhabit the scenes in a more natural way. There will certainly be laughs in the film, but make sure you understand that this film will go to some darker or crazier places than we have been before. I was pulling for this odd couple, but interestingly, it wasn’t for romantic love. Instead of leaning on tired tropes, this was a fresher experience that made me really think about things. This film provides a subtle, yet artistic take on its story.
How about the leads of the film?
They have a… strange chemistry. Strange in a good way. This unique chemistry builds plenty of strong scenes between Helms and Harrison. Helms is unfortunately annoying at times as he leans into his strange sense of humor. But when it comes to the drama, he really showed the chops that he is capable of. The more nuanced and toned-down atmosphere fits the more that our country moves closer to “normal.” Honestly, Helms provided a hefty supply of wisdom. Harrison, on the other hand, is much more low key and doesn’t fall into annoying actions like Helms. She has a strong emotional core for her character as she is challenged with the reality of balancing her times. Harrison provides a wide range of emotions and plays so well again Helms as well.
How does Bleecker Street’s new comedy stack up against other films of the genre?
To state it again, the biggest thing delivered by this film is the filmmaking. It comes together so well as we go on this journey “which ends in March” but actually feels like it can keep going. Helms and Harrison make a great pair to lead us on this offbeat and unexpected journey. You might learn a thing or two about the complexities and unique nature of love. Give Together Together some love this weekend.
Grade: A-