All of Us Strangers Movie Review

​Friday, January 5th, exclusively at  Harkins Camelview at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Writer, director, and producer Andrew Haigh (45 Years) has created a moving, tear-jerker of a film, adapted from the novel by Taichi Yamada, that will haunt you as you leave, listening to the beautiful song “The Power of Love” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood blast from the speakers.

As you listen to the song, it’ll be hard for you not to see the face of the ever-tormented Adam, played by Andrew Scott (Fleabag, 1917), even though the film is over. All of Us Strangers is passionate and has moments of affection, but its lead character is joyless. Slowly, you discover why, surprised by what has happened to him as the narrative goes along. I’m happy to say that what Haigh has written is moving and tragic and the director cast a competent group of actors to deliver his story. It would be a shame if Andrew Scott weren’t to be nominated for, at least, Best Supporting Actor.

The film is dark. Adam lives in a building with only one other occupant. He finally meets this person, Harry, played by Paul Mescal (Normal People, The Lost Daughter), but puts off getting to know him. What keeps him busy instead is trying to write a screenplay. He also begins looking through some old belongings, which bring up memories he contemplates and wants to explore more. Seeing pictures of himself as a little boy pushes him to return to his old neighborhood, in particular, a home where two people are pleased to see him. These people are played by Claire Foy and Jamie Bell.

If you pay attention, you’ll notice these individuals are dressed differently for the time. Listen closely, as a few words used in his first visit will stand out. Jamie Bell says “Son” to him, and Claire Foy speaks to him in the past tense.

Adam appears to have suffered a crushing blow when in their presence and looks defeated. Meeting Harry again draws a little light into his life. They become lovers rather quickly; all scenes are very loving and discreetly shot. Seemingly chaste, Adam allows Harry to take the lead. Harry gets him out of the house and out to dance and have a little fun. Though the pace of the movie’s first half is slow, it picks up as Adam gets to know Harry more and continues to visit his childhood home.

Yes. The people inside of it are his parents, who look the age Adam is now. Why? Because they are. He speaks to his mother about being gay. He explains that times have changed and it’s accepted more than when she was alive. You learn about the loss that has so profoundly depressed this man who has a bright future ahead if he could only get beyond his childhood. Lonely Harry attempts to encourage Adam to overcome what took his parents away from him and aid him from the devastation that is eating away at him. We see that Harry offers Adam what he needs, but Adam is in so much pain he may not be able to be who Harry needs.

You’ll see you don’t the moment you think you have this movie figured out, especially at the end. If you like movies that are left open to interpretation, yours, you’ll relish how you get to create your own twist or resolution. With a profoundly first-rate soundtrack, remarkable visuals and tremendous script about a pressing topic, I’m excited to see how far “All of Us Strangers” goes and what Andrew Haigh has for us next.

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