The minor key romance “Alone Together” is a modest event that certainly portrays the types of conversations many people faced in the early days of the pandemic. Its simplicity and lack of cinematic fantasy strike a surprising tone of relief.
Written and directed by Katie Holmes, who also starred, the film follows two strangers who fell in love after being booked on the same Airbnb in March 2020.
June (Holmes) will weather the early days of the pandemic in the north with boyfriend John (Derek Luke). But when John chose to stay home in New York City, her plans were hampered. Her hope for her quiet retreat encounters another obstacle upon her arrival. The rental housing turned out to be occupied by another traveler, Charlie (Jim Sturgess).
Both characters initially suffer from encountering each other. But being together during a period of global isolation provides a reason to connect. Charms develop rapidly, and characters fall in love as they discuss how pandemics have changed their life plans.
The biggest attraction of this movie is the resonance between what the character experiences and what the current world looks like. But Holmes also finds a graceful note as a director. She gives a pictorial angle to the northern interior, keeping her mood mellow and allowing the character to speak without imposing laughter or sentimental play. Her film is a quiet achievement. It’s a movie that hasn’t escaped from reality.
Alone
Rated R for language and short nudity. Execution time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In the theater.