This Is Your Song

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.

There's a moment, fleeting and poignant, or wretchedly ubiquitous: that could be ripped from the pages of the lives of anyone who watches this film. Any moment really. There's an uncomfortable familiarity to the intertwined lives of Jules and James as they arrive at the end of a long and tumultuous journey. Sometimes you might even feel as though they are our avatars. Through long uncut shots and emotive mood lighting, we go through it all. It's a visceral enough story that will resonate with most viewers. It's far from a smooth ride. This film can cut deep at times. These aren't likable people crafted for corporate media, they're real people. They're actors of course, although they embody their characters' truths so well, at times Jules and James appear to be the focus of a stylized documentary. This one hits home. Standout performances by Jordan Potch, Joanna Kay, and Briana Walsh.

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.

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.

Welcome back real filmmaking, I thought while watching this film. It's an impressive cinematic achievement since most of the story is done in two long takes. But this impressive feat still serves the story not the other way around. The story focuses on a relationship between two emotionally-scarred and passionate artists. Their Bohemian dreams haven't panned out the way they were expecting and it is time to take stock of their relationship. Briana Walsh and Jordan Potch are excellent in the emotional tug of war between their characters. You can see their desires, love, passion, and pathos play out in dialogue reminiscent of classic American dramatists like Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. This film has a classic feel to it in its lighting and set design. The long takes never feel stagey or call too much attention to themselves because of the capable camerawork and the focused direction of the director, Hassan Said. How he blocks a scene and the subsequent changes in lighting makes this cinematic, not just a theatrical experience. But it's the two characters that make this film a moving experience. They embody what Kerouac would call mad to to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time. Their emotions turn on and off like the neon street signs outside their windows. If you enjoy classic films, smart dialogue, and innovative filmmaking, this is a film to watch.