January 3, 2024
FILM: ALL OF US STRANGERS
DIRECTED BY: ANDREW HAIGH
STARRING: ANDREW SCOTT, PAUL MESCAL, CLAIRE FOY
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Andrew Haigh’s films have always been talky and deeply introspective. This is especially true of 45 Years and Weekend. His new film follows that tradition but also takes us into a different dimension of sorts. It stars Andrew Scott as Adam, a lonely middle-aged gay man living in an apartment building in London where no one else seems to currently live. The only exception is Harry, played by Paul Mescal, who also happens to be gay. He’s much more assertive than Adam but aside from some heavy drinking, seems to be a good match for the shy screenwriter Adam.
As their relationship begins to develop, Adam takes a number of train trips to an outlying area to visit his parents (played by Jamie Bell and Claire Foy.) The catch: they were killed in a car accident some 30 years earlier. He updates them on his life, including his previously undisclosed homosexuality. Why this is happening is a bit of a mystery. Is this in his mind? Is he dreaming? Writing a script? Any could be possibilities.
It’s all very intriguing. Viewers have to be prepared though for a relatively languid pace throughout much of the film as the focus is primarily on the many dialogue scenes between Scott & Mescal, as well as Scott, Foy, and Bell. These discussions provide a lot of emotional background on the relationships and characters (much like Weekend.) There is a through line about the different generations’ perspectives on sexual orientation, the word “queer,” and coming out. I’m not sure Haigh has much to say that is new on these topics but it seems necessary within the context of the film as the discussions were not previously expressed within this family
The star of the film truly is Andrew Scott. Having made a name for himself as the “hot priest” on Fleabag, he’s now operating at A-level status here. His chemistry with Mescal is palpable but it’s clear that Haigh loves Scott’s face. The film is filled with close-ups capturing the many moods and internal struggles Adam is experiencing. It’s not a big performance but it’s one to be studied for the actor’s ability to communicate so much information through his subtle non-verbals.
Foy, who I’ve been mostly cold on up to this point, is pretty effective in the role of Adam’s mom. She’s appropriately warm and welcoming where need to be and offers a softness we don’t typically get to see in her roles.
Music is also a major element here. Haigh uses a number of lesser-known songs by the likes of 80s hit makers Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Pet Shop Boys. They’re very effective in expressing the melancholic nature of many of the film’s scenes.
There is a twist or two here that might be a bit perplexing to some (myself included.) The film may take a few more views for its messages to completely solidify in my mind. Still, it’s a pretty absorbing character study that does take us into a world communicating with the dead that is emotional and original.
All of Us Strangers played at the Chicago International Film Festival as well as many others during the fall season. It is opening this week in limited theatrical release.
FILM: ALL OF US STRANGERS
DIRECTED BY: ANDREW HAIGH
STARRING: ANDREW SCOTT, PAUL MESCAL, CLAIRE FOY
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Andrew Haigh’s films have always been talky and deeply introspective. This is especially true of 45 Years and Weekend. His new film follows that tradition but also takes us into a different dimension of sorts. It stars Andrew Scott as Adam, a lonely middle-aged gay man living in an apartment building in London where no one else seems to currently live. The only exception is Harry, played by Paul Mescal, who also happens to be gay. He’s much more assertive than Adam but aside from some heavy drinking, seems to be a good match for the shy screenwriter Adam.
As their relationship begins to develop, Adam takes a number of train trips to an outlying area to visit his parents (played by Jamie Bell and Claire Foy.) The catch: they were killed in a car accident some 30 years earlier. He updates them on his life, including his previously undisclosed homosexuality. Why this is happening is a bit of a mystery. Is this in his mind? Is he dreaming? Writing a script? Any could be possibilities.
It’s all very intriguing. Viewers have to be prepared though for a relatively languid pace throughout much of the film as the focus is primarily on the many dialogue scenes between Scott & Mescal, as well as Scott, Foy, and Bell. These discussions provide a lot of emotional background on the relationships and characters (much like Weekend.) There is a through line about the different generations’ perspectives on sexual orientation, the word “queer,” and coming out. I’m not sure Haigh has much to say that is new on these topics but it seems necessary within the context of the film as the discussions were not previously expressed within this family
The star of the film truly is Andrew Scott. Having made a name for himself as the “hot priest” on Fleabag, he’s now operating at A-level status here. His chemistry with Mescal is palpable but it’s clear that Haigh loves Scott’s face. The film is filled with close-ups capturing the many moods and internal struggles Adam is experiencing. It’s not a big performance but it’s one to be studied for the actor’s ability to communicate so much information through his subtle non-verbals.
Foy, who I’ve been mostly cold on up to this point, is pretty effective in the role of Adam’s mom. She’s appropriately warm and welcoming where need to be and offers a softness we don’t typically get to see in her roles.
Music is also a major element here. Haigh uses a number of lesser-known songs by the likes of 80s hit makers Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Pet Shop Boys. They’re very effective in expressing the melancholic nature of many of the film’s scenes.
There is a twist or two here that might be a bit perplexing to some (myself included.) The film may take a few more views for its messages to completely solidify in my mind. Still, it’s a pretty absorbing character study that does take us into a world communicating with the dead that is emotional and original.
All of Us Strangers played at the Chicago International Film Festival as well as many others during the fall season. It is opening this week in limited theatrical release.