Whether writer/director Andrew Haigh’s 2023 film All Of Us Strangers was about ghosts, dreams or imagination, this story about returning to the past to move forwards felt “powerful, transcendent and magical”.
We also praised Duncan Cowle’s touching short film Outlets, charting his efforts to make a film true to his beloved late grandmother’s memory. There was so much positive feedback from our audience about this very honest and personal film. It conveyed the grieving process and the legacy our loved ones leave. We appreciated that the filmmaker had recorded a message just for us.
Screenwriter Adam is played by Andrew Scott, with his usual deep sensitivity. John Cassavetes’ work came to mind with the intimate close-up conversations between Adam and his parents. The differences in attitudes between the 1980s AIDS era and now were strong. “They say it’s a lonely kind of life,” says Adam’s mother, when she finds out he is gay.
One of our group wondered if Adam was romanticising his relationship with his dead parents by trying to resolve the past. This connected with the fact that he was reconstructing his childhood memories in a film script.
Adam’s tower block, which was strangely inhabited by only two residents, was an unsettling and cold setting. It did convey isolation and loneliness, underlined by the muted colours used for these scenes. The brightest and most colourful part of the film – the trip to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon – brought back some memories from our discussion group. At the time, it was considered quite a special outing.
Andrew Haigh’s hope that his film carries on within you after watching it, is certainly the case. Lots to reflect on and it did indeed bring back memories of our relationship with our late parents.
Anne
Thank you for your review Anne. This film was, for me, a truly cathartic experience, beautifully shot in a lyrical style that seamlessly intertwined past and present. Its fragmented narrative captivated me and I am still viewing it inwardly. as it left a lasting emotional impact. I found myself entranced, moving through different worlds—those of the living and those who have departed. The tender, beautiful camerawork and intimate portrayals invited me to surrender to a sweet, powerful flow of words. The film beautifully navigated the veils between these worlds, creating a full circle where unspoken emotions found their voice, leading to a profound release. Ultimately, I believe it doesn’t matter what happens to Harry at the beginning or end; th…