Yes it's maybe not as shiny and sparkly as how relationships are normally portrayed but it's just as good maybe s bit refreshing. The music is really excellent though.
22 Reviews
Better than a lot of the ratings
ciaratarpey15 March 2019
Worth Watching
MysteryTW19 August 2019
I enjoyed the movie although the storyline is relatively slow. This movie is best to watch if you aren't totally awake or are looking for something a bit mindless. This is not a movie that will occupy your brain.
I didn't like the ending. Although it wasn't left open-ended, it didn't feel like an ending. My exact comment was, "Wait, that's it?"
Despite my criticisms, I think the movie is worth watching. I'd give it 6.5 stars if half stars were allowed (yes, I felt generous and rounded up on my rating).
I didn't like the ending. Although it wasn't left open-ended, it didn't feel like an ending. My exact comment was, "Wait, that's it?"
Despite my criticisms, I think the movie is worth watching. I'd give it 6.5 stars if half stars were allowed (yes, I felt generous and rounded up on my rating).
Very Real
xiu-3185915 September 2021
Not everyone has had the same experience in love or life. So i understand some of the bad reviews, but is a really good movie, a very real one. I had a relationship like that so i felt everything i was seeing. The movie had me thinking of my past relationship. I was seeing myself and my ex in this film. They did a good job and the people that think otherwise simple dind't have an experience like that. Everybody that has will feel this movie. Emma Roberts and Michael Angarano did a good job.
Neither couple is worth rooting for
Spanner-222 November 2018
trying to be 'real'
SnoopyStyle4 January 2019
Hallie (Emma Roberts) and Owen (Michael Angarano) are a couple in L.A. Their best friends Willa (Dree Hemingway) and Matt (Patrick Gibson) get together and start dating. The four twentysomethings have different levels of commitment expectations which causes simmering conflicts.
It starts like a fluffy cute relationship indie. It tries to be 'real' with their relationships. It has potential but it does not elevate the drama. I wish that Willa would actually cheat on Matt and Hallie is forced to hide the secret. It needs something to heighten the drama. The characters are set for something but the plot is holding back. The story is being too 'real' where the couple are struggling due to nothing more than themselves. It leaves with a flat ending that does not wrap up or break apart.
It starts like a fluffy cute relationship indie. It tries to be 'real' with their relationships. It has potential but it does not elevate the drama. I wish that Willa would actually cheat on Matt and Hallie is forced to hide the secret. It needs something to heighten the drama. The characters are set for something but the plot is holding back. The story is being too 'real' where the couple are struggling due to nothing more than themselves. It leaves with a flat ending that does not wrap up or break apart.
Stories about toxic relationships are fine, but make it coherent
Jsweaty19 May 2022
I've seen some reviews of this movie talking about how toxic the characters are, however I think it's clear that that is the intention of the story and it's one worth telling. The real problem is that this movie is extremely hard to follow because scenes aren't transitioned well and several characters are introduced with no introduction or significance. At the start of the movie, it was hard to tell how much time was passing. Eventually month title cards had to be added throughout. At times it felt like the writers had amnesia between scenes. There was one scene where Willa said she studied comp lit and Matt said he's doesn't read much (not sarcastically), but in the next scene they're in his bedroom and Willa makes a comment about all the books he has!
It's definitely possible to tell two stories with two sets of characters at once, but again it doesn't work for this movie because of the poor transitions. Willa and Matt as a couple are also not interesting and have little chemistry which I think is still achievable when portraying a toxic couple. When the story focuses on Hallie and Owen it's so easy to forget about Willa and Matt.
Lastly, while this is a minor problem for me, it could bother others who enjoy set design. There were some sets that just were confusing or looked unfinished. There is a scene where I could not tell if the room was a bedroom, a cafe, or an optometrist office. Hallie's bedroom has a cactus design on 1/4th of a wall which does not look like a style choice but more like laziness to only have the pattern fit in a a tight frame which makes it look unfinished when zoomed out.
This movie does not fall short because the characters are unlikable or it's about an unpleasant subject. Real people can be unlikable and toxic relationships do exist. The execution is the problem.
It's definitely possible to tell two stories with two sets of characters at once, but again it doesn't work for this movie because of the poor transitions. Willa and Matt as a couple are also not interesting and have little chemistry which I think is still achievable when portraying a toxic couple. When the story focuses on Hallie and Owen it's so easy to forget about Willa and Matt.
Lastly, while this is a minor problem for me, it could bother others who enjoy set design. There were some sets that just were confusing or looked unfinished. There is a scene where I could not tell if the room was a bedroom, a cafe, or an optometrist office. Hallie's bedroom has a cactus design on 1/4th of a wall which does not look like a style choice but more like laziness to only have the pattern fit in a a tight frame which makes it look unfinished when zoomed out.
This movie does not fall short because the characters are unlikable or it's about an unpleasant subject. Real people can be unlikable and toxic relationships do exist. The execution is the problem.
Mediocre Mumblecore
scythertitus30 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There is a minor appreciation for this movie trying to present realistic relationship situations for people in their twenties right now. However it is an example of some of the worst aspects of modern thinking in relationships right now where no one can be right and you should just do whatever.
This is a counter to the delusional thinking of a perfect person or 'the one', but equally just as bad are those couples who stay together 'just because'. This is covered somewhat on the secondary characters side of things but it doesn't exactly leave a satisfying ending and switching the resolutions of both couples probably would have made for a more pleasing movie while also providing similar examples.
In the end this is a movie about unlikeable people with plain dialogue, muted acting and an unsatisfying ending. Maybe that is the point because it is just like life, but I already know what life is like, a movie should probably be aiming for more.
This is a counter to the delusional thinking of a perfect person or 'the one', but equally just as bad are those couples who stay together 'just because'. This is covered somewhat on the secondary characters side of things but it doesn't exactly leave a satisfying ending and switching the resolutions of both couples probably would have made for a more pleasing movie while also providing similar examples.
In the end this is a movie about unlikeable people with plain dialogue, muted acting and an unsatisfying ending. Maybe that is the point because it is just like life, but I already know what life is like, a movie should probably be aiming for more.
Missed the mark BIG TIME!!
RanDizzle11985 July 2020
I can see where they were trying to go with this film but it was done super slow and I found that I was forcing myself to watch it. While they captured the outer surface of the relationship of the 20 something year old, they missed the inner workings of a trite relationship. I'm out of my twenties but not long enough to remember how it felt and the writer missed everything. Sad as it could have been a terrific film.
Losers running beta game on hot girls
tetrahex17 November 2018
I don't know about that ending.....
mikhaelatosh14 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The Film was great, but I do agree with one of the reviews here , the director/ writer does seem to have a "myopic" worldview but I do think this is something that could perspire in a real world situation.
Does paint a very clear " what I would be doing if I was a twenty something, ofcourse it has an element of aimlessness in terms of the what the characters are doing and spiteful lashbacks but I did see a mature being painted whereas I got a sense of - taking responsibility for actions & a defending realisation that actions do have consiquenses.
The Ending doesn't really conclude, I still have questions so what now ?.... & Maybe that's what I am supposed to be experiencing but in terms of story telling if I am left asking what just happened is it a good story? ( PS I am going to leave this review just as open ended as that movie ending)
Does paint a very clear " what I would be doing if I was a twenty something, ofcourse it has an element of aimlessness in terms of the what the characters are doing and spiteful lashbacks but I did see a mature being painted whereas I got a sense of - taking responsibility for actions & a defending realisation that actions do have consiquenses.
The Ending doesn't really conclude, I still have questions so what now ?.... & Maybe that's what I am supposed to be experiencing but in terms of story telling if I am left asking what just happened is it a good story? ( PS I am going to leave this review just as open ended as that movie ending)
Missed the Mark
bigmikecorriveau1 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Quickest way to describe this one is "a movie about 20-somethings, but written by a 17 year old girl".
It seems promising at the start, and has some good moments. However I think it falls flat on being a commentary of modern relationships.
The ending is wholly unsatisfying, and it comes off as this movie trying really hard for the appearance that it doesn't care to be understood.
Unless they were going for something really meta ( a movie about modern relationships is afraid to commit to characters or a plot; people are afraid to commit to relationships), then this just seems like a massive waste of time
It seems promising at the start, and has some good moments. However I think it falls flat on being a commentary of modern relationships.
The ending is wholly unsatisfying, and it comes off as this movie trying really hard for the appearance that it doesn't care to be understood.
Unless they were going for something really meta ( a movie about modern relationships is afraid to commit to characters or a plot; people are afraid to commit to relationships), then this just seems like a massive waste of time
Really enjoyed it
muamba_eats_toast17 May 2019
Was far better than expected and a more real look at relationships. Good cast for an independent film. Was crying out that they were both better suited for the other couple and would have preferred that to the actual ending but you can't have it all. For a low budget indie film a lot better than many have made out.
Eh 20 year olds....
zombieofbeauty11 February 2019
What a terrible and slow paced movie where nothing of interest happens. I get where they wanted to go but the story didn't come out right. At the end of the movie I couldn't care about any of the characters. The ending was seriously pointless. I mean was it telling us that even if you're in a relationship you can still be friends. But why would you need or want to be friends with an ex? I wish this was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind so I could erase my brain from having to watch this.
Who is the audience?
malm-36924-913446 February 2022
Didn't go the way they wanted it to go!
viditduggad1 June 2019
The story line would be a bit confusing for a bunch of people, why are the couple hooking up and breaking up and yet again hooking up, also while they're seeing other people, the story isn't too good and the ending is way weak! If you're outta all movies, go for it!
What Love is Really Like
juliancharles-0430411 May 2018
Narrative movies at film festivals are often a gamble, so I was happy to see such an honest, funny, and sweet movie at Tribeca late last month. Hoping it's picked up for distribution soon, because it's the kind of movie that isn't made much anymore, and one that will please people who have been waiting for more authentic love stories.
An accurate portrayal of my friends in relationships
ericaschwartz-0797625 May 2020
I think this movie accurately portrays what it's like to be in a relationship as a millenial. I think the movie is cute and I love the setting of los angels and Malibu as well. The acting wasn't the best for me and the story doesn't have a super big plot which is why I gave it an 8 not a 10. To me it felt like the movie was almost like a friends episode turned into a movie. It was like me hanging out with my friends talking about relationship problems but with a cool setting and a good soundtrack and they get to have a lot of fun in the movie. Is it worth your time? You'll have to decide that for yourself.
BEST OF TRIBECA 2018
JesseMac9111 May 2018
Finally got done processing my time at Tribeca this year (and my 7th trip to the festival). I always try to see as much as I humanly can when I go to NYC and this year was no exception. but allow me to cut to the chase, Sam Boyd's directorial debut In A Relationship was not only the best film I saw at Tribeca, It's the best romantic comedy I've seen in years. I bought tickets for the premiere initially based on the fact that I am a huge Patrick Gibson fan. Upon entering the theater I could sense an energy in the audience that started to hint at the fact that this was a film people were so excited to see. Sam Boyd's directors introduction was hilarious and endearing at the same time. I could tell he had put his heart and soul into what we were about to see and by the time the opening credits began to roll I knew I was there for more than just Patrick Gibson. (No slight to Gibson, his performance was easily the films best) But the writing... THE WRITING! This film had a soul written into it that reminded me of Reality Bites... or maybe the first time I saw Garden State. It is that type of youthful film that feels so natural and effortless in it's energy. Heartbreaking, hilarious, wickedly funny, I loved Boyd's depiction of life in Los Angeles. I am 43 now and although this film did make me feel somewhat old (hate to admit that) I loved it for that reason. It brought those mid 20s feeling rushing right back. GOD DAMN! thank you for that, In A Relationship. What a ride. I'll be seeing this again as soon as it gets a wide release. Oh and before I wrap this up. A funny detail I noticed was that John Candy's son Chris Candy plays a bit roll in this film as the character Ducharme. He was so great. Total natural comedian just like his dad.
Michael is so watchable!
rosieelizabethstewart27 May 2021
Everyone has an opinion or else life would be boring. This film was anything but slow to me, by the end I was actually quite sad I just wanted to keep watching more and see what happens. And yes, Michael Angarano is so full of charisma, his cheeky charm certainly kept me hooked!
Unexpected
nathanjgoodpaster5 October 2021
It's edgy, emotional, raw, and a little funny, but not a comedy like it's listed
Gailthesnail815 January 2021
I liked it in a "too close to home" or "I wanna cry" or "I've also been in a series of ducked (sic) relationships" kind of way. Very self deprecating. Very cathartic. Much heartbreak. Includes drugs, sex, heartache, cheating, growing up.. I liked it, but it's far from a comedy like they play it. It's an edgy heartache that people go through and you feel it when you watch it.
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