The universal theme of grief, particularly that around losing your parents, is dealt with delicately yet powerfully in All Of Us Strangers, the deeply moving latest project of British filmmaker Andrew Haigh.
The film's signature is the blurring of lines between what is real and what is a figment of Adam’s imagination as he ventures back to his childhood home, where somehow, his parents are still living – both the same age as when they died over three decades prior, when Adam was 11.
This provides him the unique opportunity to talk to his mother (Claire Foy) and father (Jamie Bell) somewhat as peers, and gifts the trio that most precious of all commodities – time – to catch up on 30 lost years. He fills his parents in on how his life has gone while simultaneously trying to draw answers from them as to why he feels so adrift.
Adam’s (Andrew Scott) only neighbour in his near-empty London apartment block is Harry (Paul Mescal), who comes up to his flat one evening in the hope of finding a drinking companion. As Adam gains an otherworldly form of closure with his parents, he opens himself up to a tender romantic connection with the troubled Harry.
Director Haigh has spoken about his wish that audiences do not try to get caught up on what’s real and what’s imaginary - though at times, it’s hard to suspend disbelief and simply go with the flow. The many interpretations of the story can be frustrating for pragmatists among us.
But if you can get there, it’s worth it.
The film’s most heartbreaking moments are when we see the desperation of Andrew Scott’s character searching for answers from his parents - questions he's kept deep inside for decades, that nobody else could answer.
In particular, a scene where he asks his dad (played brilliantly by Bell) why he didn’t come into his room after school to comfort him when he was upset by school bullies, is incredibly emotive. This, as well as a scene where Adam's mother learns that her son is gay, illustrate the fallibility of parents.
Scott’s performance is a masterclass through and through, and his naturalist acting is the foundation stone of the movie, a steadying force beneath the layers of illusion and emotion that this film carefully builds.
Other highlights come courtesy of beautiful cinematography, tender sex scenes between the two leads and a customary soulful performance from Mescal.
Hanging heavy throughout is the overriding sense of dread that Adam will at some point have to bid goodbye to his parents, and when the final departure eventually arrives, it’s beautiful, painful and somehow cathartic.
The ending will certainly divide opinion and for me, it felt a little of an overreach. Either way, it will make you want a rewatch of this film, as you'll view it through an entirely different lens.
A totally unique and affecting piece, All Of Us Strangers will leave those who have lost loved ones prematurely wondering "what if?" and those who haven’t, grateful for the privilege of time.
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