Film Review: TOGETHER TOGETHER (2021): An Indie Gem with Great Performances

Together Together Review

Together Together Film Review, a movie directed by Nikole Beckwith, and starring Ed Helms, Patti Harrison, Tig Notaro, Rosalind Chao, Nora Dunn, Julio Torres, and Anna Konkle.

Ed Helms (The Hangover) and up-and-coming actress/comic Patti Harrison star in the wonderful new comedy about a middle-aged man who hires a woman about 20 years his junior to be a surrogate mother for his child. Directed by Nikole Beckwith with a lot of heart, this is one of the most genuine surprises to come out of the independent movie circuit in some time as far as comedies are concerned. It’s also a genuinely moving film about two people from opposite walks of life coming together for a common good.

Set in California, Ed Helms portrays Matt, a successful straight 45-year old man who designed a social-life enhancing app that helps people meet others with similar interests. He is interested in having a child even though he doesn’t have a partner. Harrison is the 26-year old Anna, a coffee shop worker, who Matt interviews to be a surrogate mother as the film opens. Anna is confused about life and has given up a child for adoption. Matt hires her and the film takes off with its compelling storyline of two completely different people trying to forge a friendship.

The film’s credits are in the same font as the credits found in Woody Allen’s films and that’s no accident. There are a lot of Allen’s influences throughout the film. Apparently, the most obvious one is that of a middle aged man yearning for a romantic relationship with a much younger woman. But, the film is complex enough not to simply run with that premise. Yes, Anna with her gorgeous dark hair and attractive build, is good-looking but Helms’ Matt is more interested in what’s best for Anna and for the soon-to-arrive baby. He wouldn’t mind a relationship that is romantic in nature but Anna seems to think that would be weird. In the film, there is a discussion on Woody Allen films such as Annie Hall and Manhattan. It’s obvious there are parallels to the great filmmaker Allen’s work and they create some interesting conversation in the film.

Helms is the revelation of the film. His performance is so rich and relatable. We meet his family and get to know him. We like him. His likability factor is a tremendous asset to the film. Patti Harrison matches his fine work with her great, star-making turn. She is an actress to be reckoned with as her Anna challenges the thought-process of Matt throughout the pregnancy and, in turn, teaches Matt some important lessons about life. He teaches her lessons too and they turn out to have a great deal to learn from each other.

The supporting cast works well together but those players are not as perfect as Helms and Harrison. Tig Notaro from Instant Family truly shines as a therapist, though if I had to say one supporting performance stood out. This film, however, belongs to the leads. Their work is among the best of the year so far with so many layers given to their characters. Whether their watching “Friends” re-runs together or going shopping for baby clothes, we can’t take our eyes off them. Their dialogue is always believable and Helms’s vulnerability on screen is absolutely superb.

In a heart-wrenching scene late in the film, Anna attends a baby shower with guests who are friends and family of Matt. She realizes that she and Matt are two different people in this scene and that, perhaps, their being so open with each other was a mistake.  I won’t tell you what decisions these characters make in the end of the film regarding their friendship/relationship. You’ll want to see for yourself.

Together Together is the finest indie comedy to come out in a long time. It makes one think about the situations and things happening throughout the film while we laugh and sympathize with our leads the whole way through. If you like films that make you laugh, cry and everything in between, then this film is for you!

Rating: 9/10

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