Together you are less separated. movie review

It’s not often that a title enters common usage as an idiom. But that’s exactly what happened to the French author Anna Gavalda when “Together you are less alone” was first published as a novel in 2004 and was made into a film in 2007 with Audrey Tautou and Guillaume Canet. Apparently the lively romantic comedy left such a lasting impression that Alexander Conrads, who acts as director, author, cameraman, editor and producer, has now named his feature debut after the French arthouse megahit – more than 900,000 tickets sold in Germany alone: ​​In “Together you are less separated.” However, it’s not about a random shared apartment that brings together a wide variety of people who would otherwise probably never have met each other…

… but about a forced shared apartment, which most outsiders would probably describe as potentially toxic in this form: After eight years of relationship, the art photographer Sophie (Abenaa Prempeh), who is still waiting for her breakthrough at the age of 34, and the barely more successful actor Jojo (Konstantin Gerlach) separated a few months ago. But because he still has feelings for his ex and she is afraid of being alone (and own apartments would be illusory anyway given the tense Cologne real estate market), they still live together and even continue to sleep in the same bed in the spooning position (but without sex). In contrast to “Together you are less alone”, Alexander Conrads avoids any kitsch – and instead takes an honest look at the situation. The fact that not only a damn funny but also a light-hearted and lively separation comedy was created is like a small cinematic miracle.

The two actually seem to have settled quite comfortably into their new situation. But then Sophie’s mother Barbara (Johanna Gastdorf), who doesn’t yet know about the separation, comes around the corner with a surprising offer: While her parents have only been paying half of her daughter’s rent so far, they would even cover the entire cost if Sophie and Jojo decide to have a child together.

Otherwise, Sophie should look for a permanent job if things aren’t going well with her art – nine years after she was named German Young Photographer of the Year. And Jojo’s best friend Hakim (Amer El-Erwadi) also gives an ultimatum: After six months of whining, Jojo should finally move out of his ex’s house – otherwise he wouldn’t have to be seen by him anymore…

Authentic, but definitely not a problem film

When Konstantin Gerlach (a snowboarder in “James Bond: Specter”) and Amer El-Erwadi (a Huge Fighter in “Dune: Part Two”) proudly talk about filming days on one of the numerous “SOKO” series in their roles, or Hakim fervently prepares for a part as a pedophile priest because then he finally doesn’t have to play a criminal Arab, you simply feel that the actors in “Together you are less alone.” know exactly what they are talking about. But while such references to one’s own bubble are a dime a dozen, especially in the indie sector (even if only very rarely in this quality), it is rather the highly specific view of the relationship that is no longer that inspires and touches in the long term.

You could certainly easily research the answer or just read an interview with the director about the film, but personally I’d rather not know the answer at all: According to “Together you’re less separated.” In any case, you would bet money that Alexander Conrads (also) processes very personal experiences here. Because even if we only get to know Sophie and Jojo after they break up, after almost 100 minutes you get the feeling that you’ve known the couple for the whole eight years – and you’re keeping your fingers crossed that it all works out with the right separation. And if the author has just completely sucked it all out of his fingers, then all the more chapeau!

But “Together you are less separated.” is not only a finely observed relationship film that revolves around a state of limbo that is otherwise rarely discussed, but also a comedy – and here, too, Alexander Conrads immediately demonstrates incredibly good timing. In terms of staging, he remains at the down-to-earth level of a mumblecore chamber play, but in collaboration with his actors he achieves amazing things:

From the filming of a casting video for an amusement park commercial in which Jojo pretends to be sitting on a rollercoaster in the living room chair, to the running gag that her mother calls every time Sophie turns on a porno and is about to start masturbating, the punchlines are spot on (and don’t worry, there’s no “American Pie” cringe here, instead the porn break is resolved in a pleasantly mature and calm way).

Conclusion: For everyone who would actually like to see an amusing, optimistic, feel-good film, but get sick of cliché romantic comedies that are alien to life, there is “Together you are less separated.” now finally exactly the right film. Alexander Conrads and his team quite rightly won the main prize at the festival in Hof.