Conversations are a stronghold for an independent film, especially if it tries to explore romance. Without lavish sets and trips to Paris, Only People sustains under a roof exploring infinite possibilities between two people who were once lovers. Or maybe they still are?
‘Only People’ Summary
James (Joel Ballanger) and Chelsea (Carly Fawcett) never shared a formal love relationship. They were friends and had been intimately involved but things didn’t go forward. A few years later, in her late 20s, Chelsea is married. She has a baby and a loving husband but James is still single and lonely.
Lying to her husband, Chelsea visits James in his New York apartment spending almost a week together. These two under the same roof talk about love and make love.
The film starts collecting conversations between these two past lovers who once shared a passionate bond. A retrospective looks over the possibilities and a clash of their ideologies is experienced throughout until the end when the week is over and Chelsea heads back to her family. While leaving, they both express their love thus creating the possibility for another meeting and similar arrangement in near future.
The Review
Dialogues like, “Past, in general, is a weird thing. It defines you but it isn’t you.” are the stronghold of the entire narrative. However, this particular line was expressed during the end which, unfortunately, was the only interesting part of the film. Only People is a collection of complex conversations that defines two complex individuals. While the motive of the film is extremely celebrating. It tried its best to be like Before Series created by Richard Linklater but it never gathered enough interest. The build-up and premise are too lousy and opening conversations aren’t inviting enough.
I believe, writing one location film is somewhat like the art of writing Theatrical Plays. Playwrights who can enrich their audience with just beguiling conversations are nothing less than genius. Independent films like Only People need those kinds of magicians, but they are hard to find, and the film is harder to write.
Only People is a romantic drama film directed by Mark Weeden. The film was made in 2018 and released in 2021 (US). It is available for Video On Demand.
For more Quality Content, Do visit Digital Mafia Talkies | DMT
