You and I

Once again, I continue to be surprised how one film's reviews can be so polar. I almost always want to critique the critiques. but that's a whole different thing, so I'll just stick to the guidelines and focus on "You & I". I really liked everything about it.The acting is quite good, and it seems as though a few scenes may have been improvised because they seem so natural. There was a surprising moment, for me, that proves immediate assumptions are not as they seem. Jonas, a young photographer from Berlin, and his unseen girlfriend--whose voice we hear when she leaves Philip several neurotic, possessive voice mails, which he simply ignores. He has invited his best friend Phillip, from London to go on a photography road trip far out in the countryside. A professor friend has offered his isolated vacation house to Phillip for three days. Much of the movie focuses on the kind of fun only two best friends can understand. Away from the cities, they are casual and natural with each other, and the warmth of their friendship is palpably felt. Phillip uses the opportunity to take hundreds of photographs, of Phillip and the pastoral scenery, for an uncoming exhibition. Along the way, they meet Boris, a young Pole who is familiar with some of the areas, and he comes along to direct them to some of the sites. Boris appears to be introspective at first, what might be best described as "brooding". His presence slowly has an effect on the former happy mood of the trip. It's when the three characters interact and react to each other that the acting really catches fire, and some questions get answered.The film never promises us anything, and that elevates it above so many that start well, but get caught up in the predictable. The director deserves the highest credit for never losing sight of what he started out to accomplish. He brilliantly leaves out unnecessary minutes that slow things down. For instance, the comfortable silences between Jonas and Phillip don't need to have words. When Boris comes along, we don't see the usual "hitch hiker" scene. We see a shot of the moving van, then Boris is already inside. We trust that Jonas and Phillip have offered a ride to someone who has no sinister motives. The film is nicely edited, keeping the story tight and as visual as it is vocal. The score is "road trip" music, with mostly a soft rock sound that adds to the atmosphere of spontaneity and freedom. The photography doesn't try to be too "artsy" or symbolic. It, like the music, captures what is necessary to give the actors the exact backdrop the scenes need. It provides us with all we would expect to see along the way, and the sense of satisfaction when we get there. It has a very familiar, almost universal ring of truth, which any of us who have had the carefree experience of a road trip will recognize.I definitely recommend a look at "You & I", and take it for what it is: a well-directed, well-acted film that has no hidden, deep mysteries to unravel. It's a story that could happen anywhere, and it nicely shows us how people everywhere are pretty much alike when it comes to the basics of everyday life. Just go along for the ride and enjoy its simple honesty.

This would have been 3 stars, but I watched the first part again and then the ending made sense. On second viewing, I really noticed the gentle, unspoken love between these two friends. How Boris was suddenly just "there" was startling, but I think the director trusted his audience to create their own story. The lead actors were very handsome -- especially Jonas -- and they had a good connection. The scenery was so lovely that I felt like I took the road trip with them. There is nudity, but only a few minutes of sex -- with Philip and Boris -- that was filmed so that we didn't see anything; Why not? How the story came to it's conclusion was realistic. The epilogue tied the story together as they worked on the installation of his gallery show. It was fun to see the finished photos and very cute how Philip teased Jonas for being jealous of Boris. My problem with the film was that we should have seen the leads making love, especially given the pent-up desire from years of an ambiguous friendship. And then it needed a "morning after" shot. I think the filmmaker cheated us out of that. This is a gay film, guys! Hello?? If sex furthers the storyline, don't cop out. Other than that it was lovely. But the pace is in real time, so it's pretty slow. And, like I said, 3 minutes of sex that was blurred.

Sometimes when you embark upon a trip, it is not to arrive at a physical destination but a state of mind. Jonah the professional photographer is hoping that his gay friend Phillip will get him to see things in a different light. Phillip is wild, uninhibited, spontaneous, unpredictable. Jonah is scripted to a fault. He picks us Phillip at the airport and his greetings to him indicates that this is a very strong friendship and likely something more. They quickly update each other to their personal romantic situation which indicates both are available. So it seems likely that on this trip they will attempt to close the deal. Phillip's job situation is such that his father wants him to join him in the wealthy upper class real estate business. Jonah laughingly agrees that is not a good fit for Phillip. Then Jonah invites Phillip to come live with him as Phillip's room is ready. Do this for me, he says. I need you. The plot is complete. It is execution time.And then up jumps the devil in the guise of a random hitchhiker guide whose only purpose is to get them to their first destination. Boris asks if they are a couple. Jonah says no. Phillip just laughs for much too long a time. It turns out that Boris is a kindred spirit to Phillip. It's becoming increasing similar to Boris and Phillip being a couple and Jonah on the outside. Even when Boris tells Jonah that he and Phillip have had sex, Jonah plays if off. How this is resolved is the story.

Il film riflette le aspirazioni di molti giovani che si innamorano .Quindi io lo suggerisco a tutti gli appassionati del cinema .

Scénario original bien réalisé

Eine abenteuerliche Geschichte Über drei Freunde im Sommer bei einem Auto-Trip durch Südfrankreich.......Aufregend....! Ich kann den Film nur weiter empfehlen an Leute die schöne Aufnahmen auch von der französischen Landschaft mögen......!

ほとんどモスクワが舞台の作品なのに、ほとんどの登場人物が英語を話す、アメリカンな作品でした。t.A.T.uを良く知らない私には、一度見ただけではよくわかりませんでした。それでt.A.T.uのことを調べてから見直してみました。(こちらのt.A.T.uプロジェクトの方が、ドラマチックに感じられます)本人達が歌っていますので、t.A.T.uの好きな方には貴重な作品かもしれません。薬物とか、シリアスで痛たまれない場面もありますが、才能を見出だす才覚を持った業界人が描かれているのが救いです。男性歌手のマネージャー役の役者さんが、いい味を出されていたと思います。どちらもリアリティーが感じられました。が、肝心な主役の二人の女性の関係性の描かれ方が薄いように感じられました。t.A.T.uの歌が良かったので、星4つとさせて頂きます。

A really great film - quite slow and subtle but brilliant. The acting is amazing - I am not sure if lots of it was adlibbed or what but the spark of friendship between the main characters is so realistic. The storyline is simple but effective. Not the sort of film I usually enjoy but I was totally enthralled.