It's a movie about loneliness over several weeks in current times, and based in London, England, and a town perhaps an hour's train ride away. Adam (Andrew Scott) is a 40-ish screenwriter in London who lives in a new highrise building on the 27th floor. He is gay but not in a relationship. The building's only other occupant is Harry (Paul Mescal), who lives on the 6th floor. One night, Harry comes to Adam's door with a bottle of whiskey; Adam declines the approach. He pulls some memorabilia from under his bed and reflects on his past.
We learn his parents died in a Christmas auto accident before Adam was age 12. He travels to visit the house in which he lived until his parents' death. Later, he sees his father (Jamie Bell) in a store, and his father invites him home to the familiar house. His mother (Claire Foy) is overjoyed to meet him.
The film then follows Adam's initiation of a gay relationship with Harry and several visits with his parents. At one level, he knows his parents are dead, but he comes out to them about his orientation, and they comment on their failings as parents. Adam's relationship with Harry progresses, and eventually, he releases his parents to the past. A twist at the movie's end upends all we have seen before.
I'd love to know how closely this film follows the book. "All of Us Strangers" is an apt title for a movie focused entirely on loneliness and unreality. Scott, Mescal, and Foy play their roles well. Some relationship scenes with Adam's parents are powerful, especially between Adam and his mother. For me, the director was too in love with close-ups. I thoroughly disliked the ending that drained the film of hope in my mind. And with that, what's the point?
We learn his parents died in a Christmas auto accident before Adam was age 12. He travels to visit the house in which he lived until his parents' death. Later, he sees his father (Jamie Bell) in a store, and his father invites him home to the familiar house. His mother (Claire Foy) is overjoyed to meet him.
The film then follows Adam's initiation of a gay relationship with Harry and several visits with his parents. At one level, he knows his parents are dead, but he comes out to them about his orientation, and they comment on their failings as parents. Adam's relationship with Harry progresses, and eventually, he releases his parents to the past. A twist at the movie's end upends all we have seen before.
I'd love to know how closely this film follows the book. "All of Us Strangers" is an apt title for a movie focused entirely on loneliness and unreality. Scott, Mescal, and Foy play their roles well. Some relationship scenes with Adam's parents are powerful, especially between Adam and his mother. For me, the director was too in love with close-ups. I thoroughly disliked the ending that drained the film of hope in my mind. And with that, what's the point?