Science has helped our society to evolve and grow, and it’s been life-changing for millions of people thanks to medicine, ultra-modern technology, and state-of-the-art procedures. However, can it also change our lives in a not-so-classic and more sci-fi way? For example, can it help us find ‘the one’ in the future? That question is the anchor point for William Bridges’ feature directorial debut, All of You. While the futuristic element is almost nihil (apart from those shiny billboards and the test itself), the romantic, heart-warming, and melodramatic effects are dialled up to a hundred in this fun, exciting, complex, unconventional love story.
The feature’s premise might sound familiar, especially if you have seen the AMC TV series Soulmates. The series, co-created by Bridges and Brett Goldstein (who serves in this movie as lead actor, co-writer, and producer), takes place in the not-so-distant future when a momentous scientific discovery will alter dating forever. That aspect is precisely what All of You also explores. Yes, there’s a similar world and the same basis, but with a different cast.
With a massive hint of Ted Lasso‘s Roy Kent running through his performance, a big bag of self-effacing humour, a thick book of one-liners, and an ultra-soft side, Goldstein is magnificent as Simon, a man who’s helping his lifelong friend Laura (Imogen Poots) out with her search for love. It’s crystal clear from the beginning that there are long-held feelings between the two university friends, but still, Laura wants to take the Soul Connex test to find the true love of her life. While he’s cynical about it, old-fashioned romantic Simon pays the hefty sum for Laura’s test, slightly hoping he will be the chosen one. However, the test doesn’t turn out how he wants deep down – he would never admit it to Laura, though, as he’s happy for his best friend no matter what – as it points Laura in the direction of Lukas (Steven Cree).
Although Laura and Lukas start their lives together, move in, get married, and have a baby, this feature still focuses on the friends’ relationship. Forget about Lukas as he’s pushed to the background. The meet-ups, encounters, and tender moments between the friends tell the entire story of All of You. As an audience member, you witness how both Laura and Simon support each other throughout the years and which milestones they reach. Laura’s are more family-related, and Simon’s milestones mainly include going on multiple dates and getting work promotions. Sometimes, due to the fast-paced and harsh editing by Victoria Boydell (Saltburn, Rye Lane), it can be challenging to follow what year it is, in what period of their lives the friends are, and if the nagging ‘what if’ question is being answered or not.
That question truly impacts the friendship between the friends, resulting in Simon becoming much more emotionally invested in his bond with Laura and in her becoming more distant. Usually, the female character’s emotions are on full display in a romantic drama, while the man is portrayed as stoic and more rational. Not in this feature, as the roles are clearly reversed.
While you keep rooting for Simon, Laura becomes a more unlikeable character. Whenever it’s time to face the consequences of her whimsical decisions, she runs away from the elephant in the (bed)room instead of facing the problems head-on. Her sudden and relationship-altering choices – including starting an affair with Simon and backing off from it multiple times – turn this likable young woman into an unsympathetic, selfish runaway bride.
Laura herself might indeed not be the most amiable and fully well-thought-out character, but you will adore Poots’ (Baltimore, Outer Range) acting. She shines brightly with a clever, complex, and engaging performance, becoming the perfect scene partner for Goldstein. Their steamy, vibrant chemistry keeps the flame between their characters burning throughout the entire film, and when that flame becomes a full-fledged fire, the sparks between the two light up the screen.
The performances become even more vivid due to the sleek, bright, and welcoming visuals by cinematographer Benoit Soler (Dammi, Heart of Sky) that suck you into the friendship. The excellent cinematography enhances the acting and makes it easier for the audience to travel through time with Laura and Simon. The ever-changing hotel rooms and the picturesque nature footage make it clear that some time has passed, but that the leads still face the same problems, dilemmas and feelings. Also, kudos to Soler for turning London into an even more romantic and photogenetic city.
While the narrative time jumps overshadow the beauty of London and the complexity of the friends’ relationship sometimes, Poots and Goldstein’s fierce and vivid chemistry ensures that you’re invested fully in this dramatic, romantic, and silly exploration of ‘finding the one’.
All of You had its European Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival 2024.
Director: William Bridges
Writers: Brett Goldstein, William Bridges
Rated: NR
Runtime: 98m
While the narrative time jumps overshadow the beauty of London and the complexity of the friends' relationship sometimes, Poots and Goldstein's fierce and vivid chemistry ensures that you're invested fully in this dramatic, romantic, and silly exploration of 'finding the one'.
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GVN Rating 7.5
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