Set in the near future, All of You begins as Simon (Brett Goldstein) as he brings his best friend, Laura (Imogen Poots) to a new type of test that seems to determine one’s ‘soulmate’. However, after Laura begins her new life with her assigned mate, Simon comes to grips with his love for her. Although it hurts, Simon quietly resigns himself to the role of her friend as her marriage unfolds. But one can only fight their feelings for so long and Simon and Laura must navigate the difficult waters that it appears destiny has laid out for them.
Directed by William Bridges and co-written by Goldstein, there’s a lot to like about All of You. The script is smart and the characters are endearing. Most importantly though, the chemistry between Goldstein and Poots is absolutely palpable. Though this is their first project together, the two have an ease that feels like it’s been built upon years of friendship together. Their humour (and arguments) feels fueled with passion from the past. In a romantic dramedy such as this, that’s always the most essential ingredient.
Having said this, one can’t deny the most glaring gap in the film. Despite basing the film on the premise of the soulmate test, the film barely uses it in its storytelling. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, it does feel like an unnecessary add-on to the type of tale they want to tell. Although All of You does want to explore the idea of fate and finding your soulmate, the futuristic atmosphere does little to advance that piece of the puzzle.
Even so, All of You has enough enjoyable interplay with its will they/won’t they journey that one can’t help but be drawn into the piece. Goldstein and Bridges have woven a tale that taps into the depth of passion and love, while still acknowledging the pain that can come as a result of it along the way.
All of You is playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
