Me Without You [DVD]

I watched this movie about two women, who were the closest of childhood friends, Holly and Marina. Even by the time they were young teenagers we see a pattern of Marina being dismissive and scornful of Holly and playing to her feelings of inferiority of being plain and “mousy”, a feeling encouraged by Holly’s mother. As they move through teen age years, into college, and after – Marina becomes ever more manipulative, scornful, and downright evil in her control over Holly. Holly has many moments of feeling betrayed, and being purposely hurt by Marina, but never seems to break the spell of control over her that Marina holds. It was about the middle of the movie, where Holly has initiated an affair with her professor Daniel that I simply became totally frustrated with the neurosis of both of these women. Marina, seeing Holly’s interest in Danial, beats her to the punch and initiates her own affair with Danial before Holly can get him into bed. Holly does get him into bed, and is genuinely fond of him, perhaps even falling in love with him. Then, when Marina is found out and confronted by Holly, her only reason is “well, I didn’t think you would act on your desire for him”. Of course, she did it to hurt Holly, and to take anything, as always, that Holly wanted from her and to prove that Holly was simply mousy and boring, and needed Marina to have anything exciting and worthwhile in her life. Holly still did not end her addictive friendship with Marina. At that point, I had long realized what a cruel and manipulative person Marina was, but I became almost equally disgusted with Holly for her unbelievable weakness. I watched the movie to the end, becoming even more critical of both of them, and not too pleased with the weak-kneed brother of Marina, Nat, who runs away every time Marina pulls another cruel stunt to keep him and Holly from developing a love that both of them have long felt. Holly finally finds the courage to end the relationship with Marina by going to New York, or so we are led to beleive. Marina threatens to kill herself if Holly leaves, and we see in the last scene that her ultimate threat to prevent Holly from seeking her dreams worked. I thought I must have missed something by the time the misery ended. Actually, the misery never ended – only the movie did. I suppose psychiatrists could enjoy this as a case study. I expected at any moment that the master of insecurity and neurosis, Woody Allen would pop in. At least Allen did sometimes flavor his movies with some humor, so that you could actually laugh a little at the psychological disaster of his characters, and realize that at least some of his work was a spoof. But no, this mess is presented as real people, a real situation. And that makes it an absolutely depressing movie. If you believe the ending is happy, then you are as gullible, insecure, and helpless as Holly. And if you are, go get professional help – watching this movie won’t help you. It ends with the next generation of children playing – two young girls and a brother and a nagging addiction prone mother (Marina), with Holly and Nat being married and representing the “normal” couple, just as Holly’s parents had in her childhood. But, are they? The message I got from the final scene was that patterns of mental illness and neurosis get passed down to the next generation. I am astonished at the number of reviews that gave it 5 stars. 5 stars to me is Dr. Zhivago, Ben Hur, Gone With the Wind, The Godfather, etc. Or. If you want great movies about dysfunctional relationships – try Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mommy Dearest., The Subject was Roses, or Butterfield 8. This movie is nowhere near any of those. I give it two stars instead of one for two reasons – it is set in England, on the Isle of Wight, a refreshing change. And the acting by the two leads, Michelle Williams and Anna Freil – especially Freil was incredible. Since I thought I must obviously have missed something, I mean, who would make a movie about such misery and not provide some kind of meaning, learning, or epiphany leading to a happy ending or SOMETHING? I watched it again, took notes, studied the dialogue. No, it really is a depressing movie that simply goes nowhere except to stay in the same rut of Holly and Miranda’s unhappiness for nearly two hours, and then merely leaves us to speculate whether their kids will suffer a similar deeply flawed relationship with each other. Don't watch it unless you are a total fan of one of the lead actresses - their performances are all this movie has to offer.

I'm not sure how I came across this film, but I did and watched it several years ago and absolutely loved it. The two leads Anna Friel and especially Michelle Williams are amazing in this . I always was a fan of Michelle Williams since I will admit I was obsessed with Dawson's Creek when I was a teen. This was the first film of hers I truly saw what an amazing actress she was, which she without a doubt is and she's only gotten better since. She's way overdue for an Oscar in my opinion. I love how we see little brief glimses of these two women as they grow older and you piece together what must have happened in the years between we don't see. Its a great film and very interesting seeing how an incredible close friendship can change over the years. If you looking for an interesting, with a great plot, wonderful acting, this is a must watch.

A complex realistic, if we really talked about it, movie about friends, love and finding the truth of one's life and destiny. I loved it as it twisted and turned as friends both love and hate their lives and each other for being real. There were times one might raise an eyebrow and think "what?".life is sticky, confusing, frustrating for all as they try and figure out an answer for their own feelings & actions that don't make sense, or follow a logical pattern. I enjoyed the acting that acknowledged that things aren't always pretty and perhaps the reality of that and allowing that and loving the imperfection that "defines" us and forgives us was really well done. The movie made me wonder, for the first time, why is it ok and encouraged that we so easily leave friends behind to something new, but not a marriage when in many ways friends are closer to the truth of loving who you are than the life of coupledom... worth some exploration. Michele Williams really knows how to touch the imperfections and make them her own in her very real acting abilities. I never saw Dawson's Creek but what she does here is just the beginning as we all know. It will be interesting to see what she can do in her next film as Janis Joplin. I was a little surprised when I heard that as I can't imagine anyone being able to do so the very misunderstood and complex "Pearl". But I can see it now after seeing Michelle in this movie and Blue Valentine. She is not afraid to pick the challenges, as we see here. Janis will be her ultimate because there are so many who know so much and identify so well with the woman who was dead before she was born.

Very entertaining and interesting story about 2 best friends with good performances by both main characters and the supporting cast. I liked watching the friendship develop as the girls grew up, staying close despite their very different home lives. It was interesting to see the manipulation happening in the relationship between 2 lifelong best friends in spite of the fact that they cared very much about each other; the girl being manipulative as well as the one being manipulated. I have seen friendships like this in life, and the movie offered more insight into the relationship than just observing. I dont want to spoil the movie for anyone, so I'll just say that I liked the ending. I have seen too many movies lately that just seemed to stop, like getting to the end of a good book just to realize that the last chapter was missing. But not this movie, it had a satisfying ending but also left you excited about the possibilities the future held for the two friends.I was not too impresssed with the cast's wardrobes though, they were like a cliche of the time period and did not fit the tone of the story.

transaction delivery etc all hassle freeno spoilers of the ending hereThe story of a couple of neighbour girls from 7 or 8 ish till 30 something. Marina and Holly - they are obviously best friends and H has a crush on M's big brother. M is the more adventurous and perhaps more photogenic. H is the proverbial bit plainer, the story starts at the time Pink is alive in Britain and follows their adventures in life (love and all that) though punk - new romantic - through Thatcher etc with a chunk in every time period as it were. Common to each period is The Brother, All this set against a back drop of M's parents are split uo and glitzy and H's being stable and solid.Kyle Maclachalachahchahchan whatever his name is - I'm not good with names) Yes him - whatever happened to him? here he is. As a uni lecturer. I'm not sure if hes a pig who knows what hes doing or a numb whatisits who doesn't have a clue - I plump fir the first as there is a final scene that caps his appearances off.The bits that add detail and intrigue to the story are all via M. H seems almost one dimension al - not through any fault of the actress - indeed she really plays her well and I can identify the moments of hurt that are exquisitely squashed. It's just obvious that the write is basing this all on M whom she quite clearly was in her own life. Friel play M well I just think its easier to do M justice when she has so many key parts to play and drives most of the story. to get back to the bits that intrigue these are seemingly little things but to me significant like M not telling H something or destroying something. M is at times a most unappealing selfish character,One thing that did nark me and it always does. And here Kudos to Friel and bad bad Williams. The obligatory 'morning after' scene, you've just spent all night being intimate with someone and then you sit up in bed pulling the sheet up around you. Ok not that specific moment but a movement that spotlights one actress is intent on preserving her modesty - then don't act that part OR choreagraph it so that it ISN'T OBVIOUS. Friel's portrayal was so much more natural and didn't once sledgehammer you in the face with 'Oh this isn't real its a movie so I'm going to cover myself up' Whereas with Williams the moment and plot line was destroyed when instead of being in the moment you're asking yourself - what is she doing? Sorry to harp on this it's a pet peeve. Crews and lots of people work hard to set a scene and move a story along and 'modesty' shatters the illusion.Any way that aside everyone works well and are really absorbing. Not going to spoil the ending. will just say that it loses 1 star because there was a point where M and H are 30 something and it seems like yeah yeah we get it move on with story, so it slowed slightly or the third reel was a really big one. and then all of a sudden its over. wha... what happened.? Maybe I'm not sophisticated enough to intrinsically understand the last shots. I actually would have liked another minute expanding that.That aside very good.ACID TEST: would I buy it again/recommend it - YES

Only bought as am a big Kyle thingy fan but shouldn't have bothered. This is british cinema at its luvvie worst, I guess Trudy Styler in a major role should have been a clue. Anna Friel is utterly terrible. The only good thing was the opening music from 1960s White Horses show. Avoid.

I bought this not knowing what to expect. That said, I wasnt disappointed.A tale of two friends growing up from different backgrounds and homelifes. As they grow up they battle with everything young adolescents do, in this case boyfriends, sex, drugs and angst.They have a relationship that mirrors most "love-hate" marriages, they can't stand what the other does, but can't stay away from each other.... At one point you may just think they will end up as lesbian lovers...Its a heavy film with no special effects just how it should be.... oh yeah, if you are expecting lots of nudity... forget it...

Utterly compelling story about the trials and tribulations of best friends. I first saw this movie on TV and was totally hooked on the performances especially the tortuous needy Marina expertly portrayed by Anna Friel, and of the will-they-won't-they emotional rollercoaster of Oliver Milburn and Michelle Williams both are absolutely mesmerizing!I totally recommend this film as a cut above the rest of the teenage friendship dramas on offer.

such an underrated film!if you like a quirky coming of age film this is a great option. its a well-acted drama about the complex, lifelong friendship between two, wealthy suburban London women in the 1970s and '80s.contains sex, drugs and rock and roll. a truly great film!