FilmSnobReviews

Title: She is Love
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Jamie Adams
Starring: Haley Bennett, Sam Riley, Marisa Abela
Runtime: 1 hr 22 mins

What It Is: When Patricia (Bennett) stays at a bed and breakfast she runs into someone she never thought she’d see again…her ex-husband Idris (Riley). He owns the house she’s staying at. Idris lives there with his new girlfriend Louise (Abela) and this awkward moment may turn into a cleansing one for her after years and years of simply…dealing with it. But what about Idris? Moreover how will his new belle feel about all of the goings on occurring.

What We Think: This almost plays out like a stage play. Jamie Adams’ script puts his characters in situations akin to something like Polanski’s Carnage except, you know, likable. Haley Bennett continues to shine in these smaller roles. Much like she did in Swallow she commands every scene and doesn’t let anyone else be the center of the films world. Even Adams’ direction gets a little lost in the undertow of Bennett. For his credit Sam Riley does a great job balancing Idris. Some of the time you actually like him, some of the time you really do not.

Our Grade: B-, A nice little surprising piece. Jamie Adams does a fine job but it’s the undeniably talent of Haley Bennett that puts it’s best foot forward. This is a very nice examination of relationship dynamics that never makes either side look like some sort of bad guy. Instead, we get both sides of the story and we as the audience can make judgements about the who’s and the whys. Definitely a unique look at relationships and old flames and how if you’ve ever loved someone sometimes that love can change and be love even if it isn’t in the traditional sense of the word.