A quietly affecting romantic drama that keeps me at a distance

you & me
The new movie from longtime independent film producer Summer Shelton has a simple and familiar premise: two former lovers unexpectedly cross paths years after they split, and over the course of several emotional conversations, gradually reconnect. It’s a simple affair, and one we’ve all seen play out countless times before. To her credit, Shelton, who directed and wrote the film in addition to starring, offers some unique touches to the tale of Sara (Shelton) and Joseph (Little Crawford).

At the same time, I found myself mostly unmoved when the end credits started to roll. It feels like You & Me Some pieces are missingAnd it’s not helped by an ending sequence that goes on for far too long. The stripped-down production has many things working in its favor, and so much to admire, but I’m sad to say that it didn’t quite win me over.

You & I are all about two lovers reconnecting

We are gradually learning their history piece by piece

You & Me It begins with Sara returning to her former home in Knoxville, Tennessee, for her friend Misty’s (Ashley Shelton) birthday. There, she runs into Joseph, her former flame who just so happens to be good friends with Misty’s husband (Lynds Edwards). Although Sara tries to keep her distance, Joseph keeps trying to reestablish contact, and it’s not long before the two catch up in his kitchen, the space between them getting smaller and smaller.

In the press notes, Shelton explained that she tried to limit the locations and scenes used to keep the movie’s budget down. Considering the constraints, it’s impressive what she accomplishes. Joseph’s isolated home is suitably cozy, easily Give the impression of a hideaway from the rest of the world. This is largely where Sarah and Joseph air out their past, which comes to us in bursts of information. For some time, we are left to piece together the truth of what happened between them, and Shelton smartly provides new details in the most tantalizing of ways.

You & I keep us at a distance

It kept me from being fully invested

During the most emotional parts of Sarah and Joseph’s conversation, the camera is kept at a distance, sometimes hidden behind the corner, as if we were literally entering a private moment. This results in two results. It highlights the intimacy between the couple, and how private the moment really is, however People keep us from a distanceWatch from far enough away that we can’t feel the push and pull between them. Although Shelton does not always stage their scenes like this, it is enough that there is a clear barrier between us and the characters.

Because of this, and a limited perspective on Sarah and Joseph’s life outside of their former relationship, I also felt a sense of distance. You & Me. We get little glimpses of their professions and their relationships with their friends, however The scenes ultimately do not provide much insight that shades into the world Shelton has created. The romance movie plays out in a simple manner, from Sara and Joseph’s reunion to their relationship account, to finally their last night together. Apart from their talk in Joseph’s house, the two meet once more to fully express their feelings.

That’s when I found myself completely isolated you & me And to dig too far into the specifics would run the risk of completely ruining the ending. What I can say is that Shelton, who also edited the film, clearly strove to emphasize the passion and love that Sarah and Joseph feel for each other.

A mostly wordless sequence where the two prepare for the day ahead together is a quietly affecting moment. however, It is overshadowed by a drawn-out conclusion Which keeps hitting the same beats over and over, to the point where it diminishes the emotion. There are flashes of smallness, but they are hidden by the arm’s length approach.

You & Me Releases in Los Angeles on Friday, October 18. It’s 83 minutes long and not yet rated.