A love story set over years, where the two people in love start as friends and become more, has immediate recognisable beats and will of course be compared to When Harry Met Sally. Once this is out of the system, you can start to enjoy and appreciate the style and tone of All of You.
Simon and Laura have been best friends since Uni. They're very close and have undeniable chemistry. But when Laura decides to take a test that finds you your soulmate, their relationship shifts. Their story is told over years as we meet them at different moments in time.
Differing from the famous rom-com not only for the inclusion of 'the test' but for the focus on the romance. There are comedic moments but these are lightly sprinkled in. The chemistry between Goldstein and Poots is emotional and naturalistic, they are at ease and they tell the story so well. The romance is evident from the opening scene and the story swiftly moves along, there is no dull moment, we want to stay in Simon's and Laura's company. But this perfect connection has a double-edged sword. We love these two characters and want to see them together, immediately. As we meet them, already years into their friendship, the set-up is quick and we simply have watched the heartbreak play out over the course of the film. As events move fast, with context only indicating how much time has passed and what has happened in between, we can already assume how the story will end. In fact, we're pretty much told at the half way point. There is little mystery, which is probably not what the film is about, but with such a deep connection, you want there to be at least some room to hope that there is a different outcome.
At the heart of the story is the question posed a number of times, if you could take a test to find your soulmate, would you? Laura's decision is hinted at being mostly due to a bad break up or bad relationship and throughout she insists that it was the right choice. In fact every time she say this, it does the opposite to affirm her choice, we know she has doubt. Simon is against the test, pointing out he wants to find his soulmate himself and later stating he already knows who his soulmate is. Strangely, the climax decision of the film is right at the start. What would have happened if Laura hadn't taken the test? With this question stuck in your mind as the credits roll, you’re left feeling slightly empty. Despite the fantastic performances and well told story, there is a pang of sadness that is hard to shake.
