This Is Your Song

The challenges of making a realistic film about a relationship near it's end are considerable. Capturing the truth means showing a lot of mess. And when you have mess, you run the risk of making the characters so flawed, they become unlikable or unwatchable. But the filmmakers here manage to pull off the balancing act. These characters are real and we feel their pain. But they also remain relatable throughout. Flawed, but always very human. Add to this the movie-making challenge of telling this compelling tale in one, unbroken 97 minute shot. Not easy! Films like Hitchock's Rope and Sam Mendes' 1917 (both single take concepts) are good films. But their energy can drag at times, as cinematic energy is often created through editing. But this movie does a remarkable job of keeping the energy up in that same difficult single-take technique. I think this is achieved by the terrific acting and the director's sure hand. There's much to celebrate in This is Your Song. It's absolutely worth checking out!

This is Your Song tells the story of Jules (Briana Walsh) and James (Jordan Potch) on the night of their seven-year wedding anniversary. While the relationship is on the rocks Walsh and Potch create flawed yet likable characters. The costuming and set design are perfect for setting the mood and tone in this dark and gritty film. The camera work makes you feel like a voyeur through the passionate fight and make-up scenes. The highs and lows of the relationship are well-depicted through the music choices.

Both in lighting and theme, this story is reminiscent of the movie Biue Valentine, but it is unique. The way the director expresses the love and hurt that each has felt in the relationship keeps the viewer tuned in to see what will happen.

My one complaint is that the lighting made it difficult to read the actors' expressions during highly emotional scenes.

I loved the references to San Francisco both verbally and by the visual montage.

While the story is a slow burn it is worth seeing all the way to the end.

Did you notice that long single take at the start that goes from the theatre, to the dressing room, to the bar, to the street, to the apartment? The film flows like a Speilberg-esque show that moves the camera and pulls sets and actors in and out of the shots pretty seamlessly. I found the colours of the sets, clothing and other elements to be the most satisfying feature of the whole film which is a visual delight, especially the closing beach scenes.

The acting flows well and especially noteworthy given the 1917 film style long takes which require significant rehearsal and line memorization. Kudos to the camera operator to squeeze into places without being revealed in mirrors or reflections.

These kinds of drama/ character films make the viewer stop and watch without scrolling on their phones and absorb the dialogue which is realistic and not trimmed down to satisfy 15 second shots and scenes like many other films. I also liked the fact that many parts of the story were shown and not told, a method that seems little used today.

Overall a visually fulfilling film and very impressive cinematography.

Some films don't just tell a story-they evoke something deep within us, leaving an imprint that lingers long after the credits roll. This Is Your Song is one such film, a cinematic ballad that asks the timeless question: Will you love me in December as you did in May?

At its heart, this film is a breath-taking exploration of love-how it grows, falters, and, in some cases, fades. Briana and Jordan deliver revelatory performances as Jules and James, a couple at a crossroads on their seven-year anniversary. Their portrayal is raw and deeply human, making us feel every whispered apology, every lingering glance, every moment of heartbreak.

One of the film's most remarkable achievements is its commitment to authenticity. The single-take technique-a notoriously challenging cinematic feat-never feels like a gimmick. Instead, it heightens the tension, making us feel like unseen observers, trapped within the intimate unravelling of a relationship. Unlike other single-take films that risk losing momentum, This Is Your Song remains gripping from start to finish, thanks to the masterful direction and emotionally charged performances.

Visually, the film leans into its moody atmosphere. The dim, sometimes shadowy lighting may obscure certain expressions, but it also serves as a metaphor for the emotional fog Jules and James find themselves in. The costuming and set design add to the film's authenticity, grounding the story in a gritty, lived-in reality. Meanwhile, the soundtrack acts as a silent narrator, reflecting the ebb and flow of love-both in its brightest moments and its inevitable decline.

This isn't just a film about heartbreak. It's about the beauty of what once was, and the painful recognition that love, no matter how strong, isn't always enough. It dares to ask: When the seasons change, will love endure? Or will it, like so many things, fade into memory?

This Is Your Song is more than just a movie-it's an experience. It resurrects the magic of the theatre, reminding us why storytelling on the big screen still matters.

Holy cow! This film is just exceptional! Lets begin with the acting because if that sucks we're all done right??!! The two leads were out of this world incredibly good. Their chemistry was sensational. This is what held me and kept me glued in. Great casting for sure, my hats off to the casting director. This is wonderful storytelling on every level. Bravo to writer/director Hassan Said! I found zero flat spots in this gem of a film. Loved the pacing it moved along at a really nice pace. Clearly this film gets a thumbs up from me. Well done folks! You should all be very proud of yourselves on this very fine film you all have produced!!