Only You (2018)

Directed by: Harry Wootliff | 119 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Laia Costa, Josh O’Connor, Stuart Martin, Natalie Arle-Toyne, Isabelle Barth, Tam Dean Burn, Daniel Campbell, Joe Cassidy, Gregor Firth, Robbie Hutton, Robin Laing, Orion Lee, James McElvar, Lisa McGrillis, Sarkis Ninos, Kevin O’Loughlin, Bobby Rainsbury, Kirsty Strain, Anita Vettesse, Peter Wight

Ross and Rachel in “Friends”, Julien Janvier and Sophie Kowalsky in “Jeux d’Enfants”, Sheldon and Amy in “The Big Bang Theory”, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist in “Brokeback Mountain”: there are countless examples from movies and TV series by people who are made for each other as a loving couple. Does a new story add anything to the inexhaustible list of true loves? In the case of ‘Only You’ (2018) by the British Harry Wootliff (f), the answer is a resounding “Yes”. And that while ‘Only You’ is not even free of clichés. For example, the meet-cute between main characters Elena (Laia Costa) and Jake (Josh O’Connor) is when the two bicker for a taxi in the early hours of January 1. In the end, the couple decides to share the taxi and sparks fly. What’s funny, then, is that that spark actually skips out of the picture. After Elena declines Jake’s offer to walk home with her, we see them – minutes later – in Elena’s apartment.

Elena is nine years older than Jake and she manages to keep that to herself for a long time. Because she is ashamed or because she is afraid that this will be the reason why their relationship will not work? Probably a bit of both. Fortunately, this isn’t what the film is about, but it is the catalyst for the rest of ‘Only You’. The age difference is accepted by Jake, because Elena is his dream woman. Although Jake is still a student, he doesn’t see Elena’s longing look at the baby as threatening when visiting new friends (her friends, of course). In no time he persuaded her to start a family. Because of her age there is a need to hurry, after all she is already 35…

And then we see that with ‘having children’ there really is a question of ‘getting’ and not ‘taking’. After six months of trying and countless negative pregnancy tests, the couple ends up in a medical mill. IVF appears to be the only viable option. Funded by Jake’s father, the couple make a hopeful first attempt. The pressure (from both the other and the outside world, getting pregnant seems to come naturally to everyone) quickly becomes too much for the lovers. A break seems inevitable.

‘Only You’ is a beautiful and emotional portrait of two people in love whose longing for a new step in their relationship just can’t seem to be fulfilled. This casts such a dark shadow on their happiness that it becomes almost impossible to focus on anything else. Certainly people who have been in the same situation will agree that the feelings are realistic. Still, this is not a sad movie. The attraction between Josh O’Connor (“God’s Own Country”) and Laia Costa (“Victoria”) is almost palpable and they are definitely a charming couple, with funny, but sometimes heartbreaking dialogue. With Glasgow in Scotland, Wootliff has chosen a setting that differs from the standard London or New York, helped by the beautiful camera work. All this makes ‘Only You’ a pleasantly different film, and Wootliff a filmmaker to keep an eye on. And we’re a bit more of a fan of Laia Costa and Josh O’Connor again.