All of Us Strangers – Film Review
by Brian Merriman

Written and directed by Andrew Haigh
Based on ‘Strangers’ by Taichi Yamada.
Starring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy.
Produced by Disney, Film4, Blueprint Pictures and TSG Entertainment

Part of me wants to advise you to read nothing (including this review) before you go to see this extraordinary film. It is so different, not just because an acclaimed Irish gay actor Andrew Scott (Adam) is cast with an acclaimed straight Irish actor Paul Mescal (Harry) in a contemporary love story, or that it is produced by amongst others, Disney. Times have changed. Once that sinks in, then we get an expert treatment of an extraordinary story and concept, based on Yamada’s 1987 novel Strangers – a story ahead of its time.

If you expect a ‘When Adam Meets Harry’ love story, you are in for a surprise. We are set in an almost empty apartment block, where the cruising style of New York 1980’s, means a connection is made through the windows, and a story of a passion for love and resolution unfolds. There’s some short no-nonsense discourse of key ‘gay’ issues, such as the use of ‘gay’ which is a sexual orientation and its current replacement by ‘queer’ which is a behaviour, passing or permanent. We get no drama here, no offence, no fundamentalism, just uncomplicated acceptance of who each man is, in the privacy of ‘Adam’s apartment and in the substance experiences of some contemporary clubbing. That’s the bridge between reality and fantasy that keeps prodding our sense of reality throughout Haigh’s intense scrutiny style of direction.

There is a palpable and pulsating chemistry between the two main roles, further advancing Mescal’s skilful capacity for shaking off any semblance of ‘Irish inhibition’ to authentically play sexualised roles. This is also an ‘intergenerational’ relationship, which is invisible in the playing, as maturity is not always a Birth Cert, but a state of mind. Each man has their vulnerabilities and that rare natural instinct to listen and care.  Scott wears his story on his face, in his eyes, through his raw unaddressed emotions. He is a screenwriter who is trying to write about the most difficult of stories, his own life. It’s a great challenge for any writer and Scott’s intimate performance does that task complete justice.

The construction and playing of his parents by Clare Foy and Jamie Bell are so well done. This is the way to do ‘flashbacks’ of memory on screen. Here, we explore the themes of acceptance, stereotypes, AIDS, 1980’s attitudes and loss. It is powerful in all its elements of staging, performances, writing and direction.

‘All of Us Strangers’ has an innovative dramatic magic in screen storytelling. It is perfectly put together with one tiny exception – the very final sequence stumbles and is a bizarre approach to concluding a mind-blowing intense adventure.

Who is real? What is real? Does Adam really meet Harry and all the others? By 90% through, I felt this was the story of Adam and we must have another movie about Harry’s intriguing back story. Then, yet another twist happens and perhaps Harry will always remain unresolved? Mescal is so strong in this role.

This is a rich, plot-laden film. The characters and dramatic detail of the novel and their depth shine through Haigh’s fine screenplay. The filmmakers know what they are doing with such a complex story and the communication of the complex, raw, psychology of the story is in expert hands.

There was a ‘silence’ in the cinema at the end, as we had seen so much to challenge and internalise. We are left with so much more to think about. Is anything real, are many real or have all our senses been challenged by this rare quality cinematic experience, to the extent that we can no longer be sure? It is still with me.

Do not miss this jewel of contemporary cinema, enabled in no small way by what the Irish bring to UK cinema – heart, emotional honesty and impact. Scott and Mescal are a powerful pairing and they pour their hearts, physicality and emotions from the screen onto your lap. Their ‘connection’ is probably the only real thing you can rely upon, as these ‘Strangers’ come at you from all angles and make you question what you experience, see and what will take a while longer to fully sink in and resolve – if that is possible?  Riveting.