Between Us

In what might be the best first line of a movie, Julia Stiles opens her door and lets a multitude of expressions pass over her face. "I gotta say, it's a little strange having you two show up at our doorstep like this."

We then see the unfolding of two disastrous dinner parties between two couples, Taye Diggs and Julia Stiles, and David Harbour and Melissa George. The film intercuts between the first party hosted at one house two years earlier and an impromptu get-together at the other couple's apartment during the present time. Intense, wordy, real, and extremely well-acted, it's easy to imagine Joe Hortua's words written for and performed on the stage. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie nearly as much as I did. Sometimes I find movies that are very "play-ish" to be unrealistic and superior. Between Us was so real, I felt as if I should apologize for eavesdropping. The four actors bare their souls to the camera, admit secrets, and cry at their lost youths and crumbling marriages. It's a very common theme now (even though this movie is nearly ten years old) to focus on 30-somethings who regret having children and settling down. There are people who don't like that theme, for whatever reason, and those viewers should absolutely stay away. Anyone who does like that subgenre, I highly recommend this heavy drama. It's exposing and uncomfortable, personal yet vague, and intimate even though it's a feature film that (ideally) would be shown to millions.

Art is best when it captures a human emotion and puts it on display for a viewer to see what they have felt inside represented by a performer. For it is through the performer that the viewer may see themselves in a way they have never seen before, as the actor exhibits raw human feeling; that palpable yet indescribable feeling that sets humans apart from other life forms.

Between Us exposes the unvarnished dualism of love and contempt; the comfort, warmth and acceptance of a committed love relationship and the inimical pain of rejection, contempt and disdain of a disaffected partner. The underlying plot of the film is subservient to the performances delivered by an extraordinary cast; indeed, the plot is merely a platform for the cast to display attacks on another and the deep wounds manifested by the assault.

Skillfully directed by Dan Mirvish this is a must see film. Each performer is provided the latitude to dig deep inside and deliver an honest, albeit, uncomfortable exhibition of aggression and pain experienced by the target of the attack; at points attractive and ugly; and compassionate and selfish.

Some may view this film as a story about role reversals sprinkled with bits of humor. But for those who have experienced betrayal, disrespect by a loved one, contempt and disdain, this film is so much more than an interested dark comedy; it is an opportunity to see yourself.

What tries to be an intense, cerebral drama turns out to be anything but in director Dan Mirvish's astonishingly terrible Between Us. If first impressions truly are everything, it appears someone forgot to give the memo to the director and cast, as the film opens with one of the most inexplicably irritating and unnatural dialogue sequences in contemporary film history. For those holding out hope…well…things don't get much better.

The story centres on two couples; once friends, but now heading in different directions- the offbeat artistic pairing of Carlo (Taye Diggs) and Grace (Julia Stiles) and the wealthy but unhappy Joel (David Harbour) and Sharyl (Melissa George).

No further synopsis can be provided, though, as the film proves to be utterly plot less right from the outset. The story intermittently jumps between key moments in these characters' lives, providing no valid linkages along the way, instead assuming that audiences will graciously accept multiple sudden breaks in an already disjointed film.

Each scene feels atrociously recycled, simply putting a different couple in the same troublesome situation. Naturally, this highly predictable fare becomes tired very quickly, as the film persistently fails to demand even the slightest sliver of viewer attention.

Writers Mirvish and Joe Hortua grossly mishandle any opportunities to develop their characters. All four individuals regularly flip-flop on decisions and established motives, giving a laughably embarrassing air to a film that takes itself far too seriously.

And yet, none of its aforementioned flaws can trump the disastrous overacting indulged in by each cast member. Harbour leads the pack, coming off as some sort of cringe worthy aberration of Modern Family's Phil Dunphy, with all of the social awkwardness and none of the charm, but make no mistake- the honour of 'worst actor' remains very much a four horse race, culminating in a soppy, borderline intelligence-insulting ending. Avoid with extreme prejudice.

*There's nothing I love more than a bit of feedback, good or bad. So drop me a line on jnatsis@iprimus.com.au and let me know what you thought of my review. If you're looking for a writer for your movie website or other publication, I'd also love to hear from you.*

Let's be clear: This is not an easy movie to watch. Like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or (more recently) Carnage, Between Us almost seems to revel in exposing the nastier side of human nature. We're given a ringside seat at an emotional slugfest as a pair of (nominally friendly) couples eviscerate themselves and each other at a series of ill-advised dinner parties. Once the wine starts to loosen tongues and inhibitions, verbal sparring quickly escalates into full-on psychological warfare -- the 'take no prisoners' kind. And trust me: There's more genuine violence in this movie than the entire third act of Man of Steel -- it's just that here the characters are clobbered with words, not skyscrapers.

In short: If you like Who's Afraid...? and Carnage, then Between Us is a must-see.

Well worth checking out this impressive, well-acted, beautiful looking film. With strong performances from the four leads and wonderful cinematography, this film makes you forget you're watching a play on film. The director, Dan Mirvish, found interesting and innovative ways to take you out of the two primary locations and make the film feel big and alive. Having never seen the play (though I had heard it was based on a play) I was surprised by the places that the film went. The movie illustrated how life can change and how the best laid plans may never come to fruition - not to mention how things can always get better. The film touches on issues that matter and is well worth watching.