Sometimes when we look back we find that we live in the real world for a while, for a few years, until our memory acquires a snapshot album, a set of memories, and then we spend our lives flipping over and over the rough, rocky, fiery collection of events from our childhood.
The narrative of “Strangers Among Us” unfolds as Adam meets his neighbor Harry in an almost empty London skyscraper, a charismatic but troubled individual who seeks solace in alcohol and drugs. Despite Adam’s initial reluctance, a chance encounter in the elevator of their apartment building sparks curiosity and attraction between the two men. As their relationship develops, Adam is confronted with his past and the ghosts of his childhood. Visits to his abandoned ancestral home in the small country town where he grew up become a gateway to long-buried memories where he reconnects with visions of his deceased parents.
The film is set in modern day London and follows Adam, a lonely TV script writer who lives in isolation. Haunted by the tragic loss of his parents in a car accident when he was just twelve years old, Adam struggles with unresolved emotions and a sense of disconnection from the world around him.
At the heart of the story is Adam’s journey to self-awareness and acceptance of his sexuality. Through his interactions with Harry and his deceased mother, Adam confronts his identity and confronts the complexities of accepting his sexual orientation. The film delicately navigates issues of acceptance, both internal and external, as Adam struggles with past trauma and embraces the possibility of love and connection in the present.
The relationship between Adam and Harry acts as a catalyst for emotional growth and healing for both characters. Their passionate romance unfolds against the backdrop of Adam’s introspective journey, highlighting the transformative power of human connection in overcoming isolation and grief. Through their shared experiences, Adam and Harry find comfort and understanding in each other, offering hope for redemption and a renewed sense of belonging.
In addition to exploring personal identity and emotional healing, All of Us Strangers also touches on broader themes of societal attitudes toward sexuality and the impact of past prejudices on personal relationships. Adam’s conversations with his mother poignantly reflect the generational gap in perceptions of homosexuality, highlighting the importance of empathy and acceptance in fostering authentic and honest relationships.
“What I loved about Taichi Yamada’s novel was the central metaphor: what if you met your parents again years after their death and they were the same age as you? It’s a very moving way to explore the nature of family. That was my starting point,” says director and screenwriter Andrew Haig.
Overall, Strangers Among Us is a beautifully crafted film that weaves themes of love, loss and self-awareness with delicacy and sensitivity. “Strangers Among Us,” directed by Andrew Hague (“45 Years,” “Weekend”) and based on Japanese author Taichi Yamada’s novel “Strangers,” is an exploration of loneliness, sadness, and the transformative power of human connection , is an interesting blend of romance and fantasy that offers a refreshing approach to the complexities of human relationships.
“Transferring the book was a long and sometimes painful process. I wanted to carve out my past like Adam does in the movie. I was interested in the complicated aspects of family and romantic love, but also the unique experience of a certain generation of gay people who grew up in the ’80s. I wanted to move away from the traditional ghost story of the book and encounter something more psychological, almost metaphysical,” notes the creator of the film.
One of the elements that stand out in the film is its pace. Director Andrew Hague moves gracefully between moments of quiet introspection and intense emotional depth, allowing the narrative to unfold organically. The film is lean, never rushing character development or pivotal scenes, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the rich mosaic of history and the study of contemporary labyrinthine urban alienation.
Moreover, the performances in the film are weighted. The coexistence between the protagonists of Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal is decisive for the success of the project, leading us precisely and directly into the complexities of their relationship. Each actor brings depth and nuance to their respective roles, delivering authentic portrayals that resonate on a deep level.
It’s true that sometimes we can find ourselves a bit torn between some plot elements that are too ambiguous, leaving unanswered questions hanging in the air. Additionally, the film’s unconventional narrative structure can keep us uncertain and indecisive, requiring a certain level of patience and willingness to embrace its more fantastical elements.
But the director’s keen eye and his interest in the smallest detail is evident in every frame, from the atmospheric cinematography to the meticulously designed scenery. The quality of the low-key images enhances the eerie atmosphere of the film, giving it charm and depth. Still, the music serves as a powerful storytelling tool, highlighting the characters’ inner turmoil and adding an extra layer to their journey.
The loves that take flesh and bones, in the terrible modern alienation we live in, at some point make their circle and the stronger the love, the bigger its circle. These great loves are completed where the sea and the sky meet, where zero and infinity meet. The loves that never fade are only the unfulfilled and eternally unfulfilled.
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