Review of The One I Love (2014) by Nate Z — 22 Dec 2014

A simple yet high-concept sci-fi hook that's nicely examined and developed for its duration, The One I Love is a relationship drama with a twist, one I won't feel bad about spoiling considering it happens in the first 15 minutes. Mark Duplass and Elizabeth Moss play a married couple going through counseling to work out their trust issues. They head out to a resort home to spend a weekend getaway; however, whenever one of them enters the guesthouse, their spouse is magically there. Not just them but an idealized version of them, the best representation. The two explore what this means, establishing a series of rules of intimacy that of course will start to be ignored. The mystery of why this doppelganger honeymoon suite is happening is inconsequential. What matters is how our couple responds to it and he film thankfully allows this conflict to stew, maximizing its potential to explore the jealousies and insecurities of relationships. Duplass and Moss are terrific and have fun with their many iterations. The One I Love finds ways to continually surprise while still feeling grounded by its real-world application of its science fiction premise. The ending is a tad predictable but still satisfying, likely inspiring many conversations afterwards with would-be couples who watch the film. At its core, it's an intriguing story that's very well developed while never losing sight of its characters and their relatable nature. It's smart, funny, and always interesting, and well worth exploring on your own when given the chance.

Nate's Grade: B+.