Permission

This movie tries to ask tough questions but avoids having an actual discussion. The characters are just written too superficial. Rebecca hall and dan stevens are both great but we don't actually learn about them much and what actually leads to the end. Just a missed opportunity. Watch only if you are a huge fan of hall like me. Otherwise look elsewhere.

The acting was good however the premise is worn out making you lose interest in the characters because they are pathetic unless, of course, you take enjoyment in watching, otherwise pretty decent people, destroy each other making stupid decisions. The Freebie, Wanderlust, White Lotus, Hall Pass, Sleeping with Other People, 8 minutes in Heaven, Fling, Couples Retreat, and so on, all adverts for experimenting with polygamy or encouraging the seeming benefits taking plenty of sex test drives (especially ridiculously spontaneous with some complete stranger in a back room or just to see what someone else's sex skills are for practice) before settling down to marriage.

Like the Movie 'Fair Play" it is also a testament to the pitfalls of having a relationship where couples don't actually talk to each other to explain their concerns, insecurities, and mostly how to help each other along emotionally. Couples especially need to be able to see the things they are doing wrong or the ill feelings and jealousy they are promulgating by their actions especially when serious issues that affect life and relationships occur. Or, worse yet, taking cues and advice from other couples (in this case, the gay couple) who, themselves, in their own pathetic lives, don't even have their own act together.

Anyway, the statistics are with the premise of the film. Casual sex is fine if you don't really care about the others you are having sex with, don't expect your own marriage (or any serious relationship) to last, or you are somehow, remarkably, immune to jealousy. As if going home and talking about their latest experience, including the physical attributes and skills of the most recent partner was going to actually be accepted by their own significant other and somehow leading to relationship improvement. Oh, and that high school sweetheart marriages traditionally have the highest rate of failure.

If you think the grass is greener on the other side instead of caring for, and fertilizing, your own lawn, then get out of the relationship instead of destroying each other.

Director/writer Brian Crano has assembled an excellent cast. Permission has adults having adult conversations. We watch as two very different couples grapple with managing their relationships and the hardships that ensue when one person (or both) deviate from "the plan". Crano allows his characters to be smart, stupid, loving, selfish ... that is, real people. Rebecca Hall steals the show and yet her character is perhaps the least likable of them all. After seeing her here, I will watch her in anything. A scene late in the movie is as real as life and as such is tender, wrenching, and beautiful. So, why only 5 stars? All of these great parts do not add up in the end. The middle of the film lags. As great as the acting may be, I didn't believe the ending. Crano works with his actors and creates great moments. The culmination of those moments, while clearly articulated in the film, seemed trite at worst and less than satisfying at best. Normally such an ending would result in less than 5 / 10 from me (starting from a pass/fail scale). Yet, the greatly crafted scenes and great ensemble acting make Permission worth recommending.

A film that is driven by a controversial premise, but the execution feels childish and amateur. It goes about the motion but does not provide a good enough plot to really examine the concept of monogamy. The emotions displayed by every single character feels off and superficial which creates a disconnect with the audience. The film provides an one dimensional, pessimistic look at relationships, but is not controversial enough to capture and enlighten viewers.

This is the reason I always get anxious during opening credits from small time productions or indie size studios.

The writer clearly couldn't decide on what creative choices to make early on, was it going to be another take on an open relationship or a gay drama.

Way too ambitious, didn't work. Cliche beats and fairly mundane dialogue.

There was no arc towards making their important relationship decision, it just happened out of nowhere.

The drama was telegraphed all the way after we're introduced to the cliche premise.

The moral tale doesn't have any redeeming qualities other than an open ended decision by the female co protagonist to free herself to continue the self discovery.

The baby scenes in the park magically appear like set pieces. Did he have to stalk the area until the Father and son showed up? This just added to the lack of believability. Are we really meant to believe a girl that has been with one man soon after is shagging strangers within 2mins of meeting them in quick succession?

If this was a college project I'd say it was a good start, but this film made it to subscription TV