Opening: THE ONE I LOVE Offers Smart, Very Funny Couples Therapy

"I doubt I will laugh out loud more at a film this year," wrote our own Kurt Halfyard after seeing The One I Love at Fantasia a few weeks ago.

Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss star in a new film by Charlie McDowell. Mr. Halfyard stated that the film "made me smile so hard at times my face actually hurt. I burned fucking calories with the enjoyment of this movie. The One I Love contains enough insight and humour (not to mention, utter engagement) in its neo-Twilight Zone execution, that you may never have to visit the self-help section of the bookstore, ever. This is the mandatory date movie of the year."

And what of the plot?

Sophie and Ethan are several years into their marriage, still without kids, and are more content to follow the usual rhythms and patterns established over the years. This is to the point where they attempt to recharge their batteries by re-creation of positive prior romantic experiences in their more whimsical youth. They are desperately looking to find the original spark in their relationship, and it comes, oddly enough, in the form of a recommendation from their therapist. "I've sent a lot of couples there, and they come back...renewed," a country retreat doesn't sound the least bit ominous coming from the lips of a snowy haired Ted Danson, but Charlie Kauffman rules are in play here. Serious mayhem goes down.

In conclusion:

The film is a trust exercise that goes off the rails with intelligence and care, every detail just so, every revelation hilariously true. One minor nitpick involving a bit of unnecessary exposition via computer screen is easily forgivable when everything else is this fun. Suffice it to say, it's going to be an interesting car ride home, whether you are just dating or married for decades. I wish I could say more. I feel this movie should be studied by genre fans and psychiatrists in equal measure. I wish all relationship movies, from rom-coms to art house dramas, were this smart.

You can read the review in its entirety right here on this very site, just by clicking here.

The film opens in limited theatrical release in Canada and the U.S. on Friday, August 22.

Kurt Halfyard contributed to this story.