Like You Mean It

This is one of those movies that isn't going to spoon feed you the plot. You just have to experience what's happening, what's going on.

And at first there doesn't seem to be much going on. After a while we know we're seeing the dynamics of a couple who are at the beginning of a breakup.

But that's what's on the surface. Beneath the surface, this is really a portrait of an actor. A family event triggers self-examination that makes him aware that he's been acting his way through life. He does it so well he's not always aware of what he's doing. Clearly, though, he's disassociated himself from significant and important parts of his life, including the relationship that is beginning to unravel.

I liked this movie. It's for adults. That the couple in question is gay is a bonus because most of what's made for our market is pretty cartoon-like. Pseudo rom-coms or overwrought tragedies. This is more like real life, even though the two main characters lead a somewhat more exotic life than most of us do. But it's a nice change of pace. It's not in the same league as Weekend or Futuro Beach, but it's not that far behind.

Give it a chance.

A delicate theme just well explored. Sensitive subjects , from the stress about future to the complicated lines of relationship are wise used , exposed, explored in beautiful manner.

The shadow of madness as presence and the great cinematography are two good points of this film who not desires to impress but proposing a fair, honest tone about ordinary pressures and the answers to them.

The acting can be defined as key of this special drama for the slow story, for the reflection moments, for the way to reflect crisis , for the simplicity and gentle pieces defining the characters. A story who has so many chances to be perceived as a personal one.

Saw this film in LA and was surprised by it's simplicity and power. This is not a "gay movie". Yes, the focus of the story is on a gay man but we start to realize it's about his difficulty loving himself and hence others. We understand why and how life is increasingly challenging for him as he attempts (as a European in America) to manage his past and get healthier. Mainstream audiences may be reluctant to pay to see a film about a gay man but star/writer/director Philipp Karner handles the sex scenes and sexuality in a restrained manner which affords all of us an understanding of the gay culture without offending. As a straight man, I really enjoyed the movie. I highly recommend LIKE YOU MEAN IT...for its wonderful, economical writing, direction and performances as well as its ability to enlighten and entertain!

I've been giving this film a bit of thought since I saw it last week. Like You Mean It is a subtle, interesting film and I definitely recommend that you see it. Philipp Karner, writes, directs and plays the lead role in a slice-of-life about a gay couple whose relationship is put under the microscope as frustrated actor Mark starts to withdraw from intimacy, leaving his long-suffering boyfriend confused and hurt. The script is naturalistic with some sparkling, well-observed dialogue and strong performances from the actors, particularly in the cameo parts. The film is lovingly crafted and the use of audio to create ambiance and a sense of space is outstanding. The narrative pace is nicely judged and is punctuated by scenes of Mark driving around his home town, alternately attempting to save and sabotage his relationship, all the while ignoring calls from his sister back in Austria. The niggling flaw with the film is what gets left unsaid. There are hints of past medical issues, there are hints that Mark's relationship with his family is problematic but none of this is called out explicitly. When the resolution comes we're left unsatisfied and wondering why. Like Mark, the director is holding out on his audience, and while on the whole the unfolding tale is subtly and elegantly told it just falls short of creating sufficient motive to explain his character's actions. That said the film is an absorbing 90 minute window onto the world of a struggling couple, raises some interesting questions about how we undermine ourselves and is elegantly sketched. I'll definitely be looking out for more from Philipp Karner.

This film has some components of a good film -- romantic relationship facing some challenges, overall good acting, an international aspect with German dialog, great production quality, and enough plot to explore the potential impact of life events on the main characters -- so I was surprised that it left me dissatisfied most of the way through the film. The main character, Mark, remains virtually emotionless throughout, with the exception of a mental/emotional collapse in one scene. He remains an impervious handsome lead we're hoping might become human. His partner Jonah expresses more emotion, and we have more of a sense of his character and longings. But the script fails to develop these two characters, instead indulging in scenes of sexual imagery and intimacy to seduce its viewers.

Mark's lack of emotional involvement extends to virtually all areas of his life, including his family in Austria and his work as an actor on the fringes of Hollywood. The straight couple who are friends of Mark and Jonah show flashes of humanity, but no particularly compelling story relevant to the film. In the final scene, Mark's modest attempt to reach Jonah may be intended to show his humanity, but there's no hint of what he learned or why he's changed. I gained little insight into these characters in the film, certainly felt no connection to them or their lives, and wondered what the writer/director was trying to communicate. This isn't uncommon among current films -- with attractive actors whose physical appearance is their only identity, leaving audiences to watch them without knowing much of anything about them. Their appearance speaks for itself.

Give me Scenes From a Marriage by Ingmar Bergman for a slow-moving but dramatic film or else a film with a gripping plot. Pretty actors, skin, a slow-paced plot, and no drama fall flat for me.