Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott are two of the most revered names in Irish and world cinema. When it was announced they were to co-star in the intimately sad and romantic All of Us Strangers, film buffs everywhere popped the film on their awards season bingo cards. This was, undoubtedly, a perfect prediction on the quality of this film – any nominations All of Us Strangers receive are more than deserved.
All of Us Strangers follows Adam (Andrew Scott), a troubled screenwriter in the grips of depression and isolation. One evening, in the cold, modern, and largely empty London tower block he calls home, Adam has an uncomfortable encounter with his mysterious, younger neighbour, Harry (Paul Mescal). Tentatively, the two grow close.
“We are encouraged to find the bizarre as real as the salt in the Earth.”
As the relationship deepens, Adam finds himself addressing and revisiting his past – and revisit is literal. Returning to his childhood home, Adam discovers his home and his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) living exactly as they did 30 years ago. Of course, it was 30 years ago that Adam’s parents died…
Now, don’t let the supernaturality put you off. As an audience, we are encouraged to find the bizarre as real as the salt in the earth; as real as Adam deludes himself into believing. This is achievable through the sheer volume of heart that writer and director Andrew Haigh soaks into the film.
An adaption of the novel Strangers, written by Taichi Yamada in the 1980s, Haigh’s film never loses sight of the soul of the original story. He takes the words and creates this visual world of flush blue and purple that will enrapture any reader of the original tale. His direction, and particularly his use of lighting and colour, makes All of Us Strangers angelic throughout. The all-consuming light in the opening and closing scenes bookends the takeaway emotion from this film flawlessly. All of Us Strangers leaves you stuffed with emotion – namely love grief, nostalgia, and awe.
“It is with this delicacy that they break your spirit, leaving you to wallow in a puddle of tears.”
The music selection is wonderfully useful in evoking the extreme sadness of the film. The Pet Shop Boys whisk us away into a ditch of emotion, with Frankie Goes to Hollywood piling the dirt atop so we never escape our sadness.
Invaluably helpful in emoting the audience is the succinct cast of four. The intimacy between Mescal and Scott is unparalleled. The two felt soul-bonded, sharing a connection that was almost too personal to watch; it felt nearly intrusive.
Claire Foy and Jamie Bell, who play Adam’s parents, perfectly portray the misery and sentimental kindness of the film. Stuck in their time capsule, they deliver a subjective-objective view of the film’s events with natural delicacy. It is with this delicacy that they break your spirit, leaving you to wallow in a puddle of tears. Whilst it’s a common warning for this film, it cannot be stated enough: prepare to have your heart pulverised by All of Us Strangers and relish in your tears.
Never once pulling a punch, the film has an unyielding sadness that wallops an irreparable despair-shaped hole in your soul. Its all-encompassing grief, sadness, and love sinks you to levels of utter emotional pain, bewitching you with its enamouring and tragic beauty.
Featured image credit: Searchlight Pictures
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