Set during the Co-Vid 19 pandemic which, at the time of writing, we are still very much in the middle of, Henry Loevner and Steven Kanter’s involving drama/ unconventional romantic comedy, mostly hits the right notes, even though most of its event sit very much too close to home. However, superb writing and two brilliant leads in Ben Coleman and Ali Vigevano make this more than palatable.
Contemporary Los Angeles, and we open to Nick (Coleman) and Leah (Vingiano) who have, as the film’s title may suggest, come to the end of their relationship. The issue is that the state has just been put into lockdown. Nick, a jobbing actor, sees auditions immediately dry up so he is unable to move out forcing the two having to still live together despite them now not being in a relationship. The first part of the film follows their predicament with living on top of one another having split up, all the while having to deal with the new normal and the international emergency that has forced them into the position.
The End Of Us is the latest in a long line of films set and shot during the pandemic, and while many have missed the mark, some really nail what they are setting out to achieve. This is one of those movies. Steering clear of using screens, or Zoom calls to lay out its narrative, The End Of Us is a great piece of work utilising its setting and not straying to much into the realms of cliché. Sure, there is evidence of some tropes that are beginning to become tiresome in their depiction in popular culture, but there’ a lot to identify with in this movie, and the filmmakers manage depict it all just about right.
The biggest asset that The End Of Us has is its two leads in Coleman and Vingiano who play two sometimes irritating, but ultimately likable souls struggling with a situation most have found challenging. The two are perfectly cast, and play Nick and Leah will such naturalistic believability that it is an absolute joy to watch. They mirror struggles that we’ve all encountered in the last twelve months – trapped within the four walls of your home 24/7; the constant pain of loneliness; celebrating birthdays without love ones around; that fear when you’re waiting for the big test to come back, or even having to look for new ways to earn a living as the world shuts down. Loevner and Kanter’s screenplay covers all of these points and more, and is completely engrossing and easy to be absorbed into throughout.
There are some tonal shifts that don’t always work, but for the most part, the film balances drama and comedy well, and just about holds its footing come the end credits. The final third is its strongest, the narrative moving more away from convention, and even manages to throw in a slight curveball for its final moments, again swerving away from conventionality and predicability.
In the middle of the Co-Vid crisis, this could have been a struggle to watch, but the gifted Henry Loevner and Steven Kanter have offered us a delightful little movie that most will enjoy.
The End Of Us
Summary
A delightful rom-com-dram set during the pandemic that just about swerves away from cliché and the generic tropes of this new sub-genre. An brilliantly performed and crafted film.
The End Of Us is playing at the 2021 South By South-West Film Festival.
