Together Together

Last updated

Together Together
Together Together film poster.png
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Nikole Beckwith
Written byNikole Beckwith
Produced by
  • Anthony Brandonisio
  • Daniela Taplin Lundberg
  • Tim Headington
Starring
CinematographyFrank Barrera
Edited byAnnette Davey
Music by Alex Somers
Production
companies
  • Wild Idea [1]
  • Stay Gold Features [1]
  • Haven Entertainment [1]
  • Kindred Spririt [1]
Distributed by
Release dates
  • January 31, 2021 (2021-01-31)(Sundance)
  • April 23, 2021 (2021-04-23)(United States)
Running time
90 minutes [2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.4 million

Together Together is a 2021 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Nikole Beckwith. The film stars Ed Helms and Patti Harrison. It follows the friendship between a single man and the surrogate pregnant with his child. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2021, and was released on April 23, 2021, by Bleecker Street.

Contents

Plot

Matt, an app developer in his forties, interviews Anna, a young coffee shop employee, to become his surrogate. He wants to become a dad without getting married and she wants to finance her bachelor's and master's degrees.

During her first trimester, the doctor tells Matt and Anna that everything is going well, so he invites Anna to dinner to celebrate. Afterwards, Matt tells his brother and parents about the pregnancy; his mother is unhappy about it.

At dinner, Matt and Anna talk about how nervous they are about conversing with each other. While ordering, he makes a disapproving sound when she orders potato over salad, as what she eats the baby eats. He orders pasta with bacon. Once the waitress leaves, Anna points out that he should also watch his diet for the child, as in his case it matters for the next 18+ years.

Next, at therapy together, Matt expresses excitement and wants to tell everybody, and is surprised Anna is not going to tell anyone about the pregnancy. Afterwards, Matt offers her a bite of candy, explaining he would do so after couple's therapy with his ex.

At the coffee shop, Matt brings pregnancy tea and clogs for Anna. She takes the tea, but leaves the clogs. When Matt takes them to Anna's, he meets a guy Anna hooked up with. He gets upset, believing it's bad for the baby. At the hospital, she insists he cannot stop her from having sex for a whole year, and pregnant women can safely have sex, which the technician confirms. They then happily listen to the heartbeat.

At therapy, Matt excitedly says he wants to hear that sound all the time, while Anna says she likes seeing him so happy. The therapist asks them if they are having any conflicts other than the clogs, and they talk about Matt's concern over Anna having sex. Although the therapist tries to clear his doubts, he remains skeptical.

During the second trimester, Anna tells Matt she needs money to get into an accelerated degree program to complete her bachelor's and master's degrees in three years. Matt shows her the future nursery, and she helps him pick the color for it. Next, both have a deep conversation about why they are alone.

They start hanging out more and choose the gender-neutral name "Lamp" for the baby. At the mall, seeking maternity wear, Anna meets her sister's friend and lies that she works there as she doesn't want her family to know she is pregnant, as they would disapprove.

Matt asks Anna to move in with him until the birth, as he wants to maximize his time with the baby. While crib shopping, the salesgirl calls them a couple, but Anna says, "Ew, no". This upsets Matt a little. Anna explains it would be gross if they were a couple, as he is twenty years older.

At the baby shower, Anna feels odd when Matt's mother says she's unrelated to the baby. Anna realizes that despite trying so hard not to, she is getting attached to the baby and Matt. She leaves his house afterwards, citing the importance of boundaries.

In the third trimester, Anna and Matt attend a prenatal class. After some days, Anna feels mild cramps at night and calls Matt, fearing early labor. The doctor says such cramps are normal and the baby is healthy, and not coming yet. After the visit, Anna admits she loves Matt platonically and doesn't want to lose him, but that she can't stay, as she got accepted to a Vermont college. Matt says they won't lose each other, as he loves her too and that he is proud of her for getting into college.

This time, after attending therapy, Anna asks if Matt wants to hold hands and eat candy, which they do in the park on a bench. She starts having contractions one week before the due date. They do all the things they learned at the birth center and take Anna to the hospital, where she delivers baby Lamp. The movie ends with Matt consoling a crying Lamp as the camera lingers on Anna.

Cast

Release

The film had its world premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section of the Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2021. [3] Prior to this, Bleecker Street acquired the US distribution rights, while Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired the international distribution rights. It had a limited release on April 23, 2021, followed by video on demand on May 11, 2021. [4]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 91% of 152 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10.The website's consensus reads: "Together Together explores love and parenthood from unexpected angles, capturing a broad spectrum of emotions through Patti Harrison and Ed Helms' starring performances." [5] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 70 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [6]

Box office

With a limited release during the COVID-19 pandemic, Together Together grossed $1.4 million at the box office in the United States and Canada. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Fifteen and Pregnant</i> 1998 American TV movie

Fifteen and Pregnant is a 1998 American drama television film directed by Sam Pillsbury, written by Susan Cuscuna, and starring Kirsten Dunst, Park Overall, David Andrews, and Margot Demeter. Based on a true story, Dunst portrays a 15-year-old pregnant girl. It premiered on Lifetime on January 19, 1998.

<i>Baby</i> (musical) Musical

Baby is a musical with a book by Sybille Pearson, based on a story developed with Susan Yankowitz, music by David Shire, and lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. It concerns the reactions of three couples each expecting a child. The musical first ran on Broadway from 1983 to 1984.

<i>Waitress</i> (2007 film) 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly

Waitress is a 2007 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, starring Keri Russell as a young woman trapped in a small town and an abusive marriage, who faces an unwanted pregnancy while working as a waitress. The film premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 2, 2007, by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Shelly's supporting role is her final film appearance before her death. In 2015, Waitress was adapted into a Tony-nominated musical of the same name.

<i>Stephanie Daley</i> 2006 American film

Stephanie Daley is a 2006 drama film written and directed by Hilary Brougher. The film stars Amber Tamblyn, Melissa Leo, Tilda Swinton and Timothy Hutton. The film, which received a limited release in North America on April 20, 2007, focuses on the issue of teenage pregnancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lexi King</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Lexi Nicholls is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale played by Sally Oliver. She appeared from 2007 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Brady and EJ DiMera</span> Soap opera character

Elvis "EJ" Aaron DiMera and Samantha "Sami" Gene Brady DiMera are fictional characters and a supercouple from the American soap opera Days of Our Lives. Since 1993, the role of Sami Brady has been portrayed by actress Alison Sweeney. James Scott originally portrayed the role of EJ DiMera when the character was introduced on May 30, 2006, but in 2021 when EJ finally returns for the first time on-screen since his supposed death in 2014, he is now portrayed by actor Dan Feuerriegel. Scott says that his days of acting are now behind him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tina McIntyre</span> Fictional character from Coronation Street

Tina McIntyre is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Portrayed by Michelle Keegan, the character first appeared on-screen during the episode that was shown 7 January 2008. The character was central to many key storylines relating to issues such as perjury, abortion and surrogacy, and had relationships with David Platt, Graeme Proctor, Tommy Duckworth, Dr. Matt Carter and Jason Grimshaw, and had an affair with married man Peter Barlow. Tina has also had feuds with Kylie Platt, Tracy Barlow and Kirsty Soames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie Carp</span> Fictional character from the ITV soap opera Coronation Street

Julie Carp is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Katy Cavanagh. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 25 April 2008 and was originally introduced as a new girlfriend of established character Kirk Sutherland and in a later storyline she was revealed to be Eileen Grimshaw's half-sister. On 4 February 2015, it was announced that Cavanagh had decided not to renew her contract with the show in order to go and pursue other projects. She departed on 3 July 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Drake and Robin Scorpio</span> Soap opera character

Dr. Patrick Drake and Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake are fictional characters and a supercouple from the ABC daytime drama General Hospital and its SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital:Night Shift. The couple is commonly referred to by the nickname "Scrubs", rather than by a portmanteau like other supercouples. Robin, the daughter of popular characters Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane, is portrayed by Kimberly McCullough, the original actress cast in the role who has portrayed the character sporadically since she was seven in 1985. Jason Thompson was cast as legendary 1980s character Dr. Noah Drake's son Patrick in December 2005.

<i>Sleepwalk with Me</i> 2012 American film

Sleepwalk with Me is a 2012 American independent comedy film co-written by, directed by, and starring Mike Birbiglia. It also stars Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane, and Cristin Milioti. Before making the film, Birbiglia had already told the autobiographical story of his struggles to become a stand-up comedian while dealing with REM behavior disorder and a failing relationship in a one-man show and a book.

"Goodbye, My Friend" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 49th overall episode of the series. It was written by co-executive producer Ron Weiner and directed by co-executive producer John Riggi. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on March 5, 2009. Guest stars in this episode include John Lithgow, Patti LuPone, Christopher Nicholas Smith, and Phoebe Strole.

"¡Qué Sorpresa!" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 93rd overall episode of the series. It was directed by John Riggi, and written by Matt Hubbard. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on February 3, 2011. Guest stars include Ken Howard, Vanessa Minnillo, Brian Williams, Richard Belzer, Ice-T, and Elizabeth Banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faye Windass</span> Fictional character from Coronation Street

Faye Windass is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Ellie Leach. She was introduced as a potential adoptive child for Anna and Eddie Windass in the episode aired on 24 January 2011. Faye's early storylines have included being adopted by Anna and Eddie, being the victim and perpetrator of bullying, contacting her birth father Tim Metcalfe and accusing Anna of abusing her. Her later storylines include her falling pregnant at the age of 13 and keeping it secret from her family. Faye's struggling to bond with her daughter, Miley results in her giving her up to Jackson Hodge, Miley's dad. Other storylines involve her relationships with Seb Franklin and Craig Tinker, being imprisoned after attacking Adam Barlow after a case of mistaken identity, being sexually assaulted and being diagnosed with premature menopause. In April 2023, it was announced that Leach had been written out after 12 years, with her final scenes airing on 24 May 2023.

<i>Gayby</i> 2012 American film

Gayby is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Jonathan Lisecki and starring Jenn Harris, Matthew Wilkas, Mike Doyle, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Jack Ferver and Jonathan Lisecki. It is based on the 2010 short film of the same name. It debuted on March 12, 2012 at the South by Southwest film festival.

<i>Private Number</i> (1936 film) 1936 film by Roy Del Ruth

Private Number is a 1936 American drama film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Loretta Young, Robert Taylor and Basil Rathbone. Sometimes known by the alternative title of Secret Interlude, the film was based on the play Common Clay by Cleves Kinkead which had previously been made into a film of the same name in 1930. Following the more rigorous enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code after 1934, many of the more salacious elements of the earlier film were left out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amber Turner</span> Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours

Amber Turner is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jenna Rosenow. The actress, who had previously appeared in the show as an extra, successfully auditioned for the role of Amber and relocated to Melbourne from Geelong for filming. She said she was excited about joining the cast and seeing what she could do with her character. Amber was created and introduced along with her family, as part of a major overhaul of the show's cast. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 7 February 2013. In April 2015, Rosenow announced her intention to leave at the end of her contract, and Amber departed on 8 January 2016. She made a cameo appearance on 5 April.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy are common, benign conditions that result from the changes to the body that occur during pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy typically change as pregnancy progresses, although several symptoms may be present throughout. Depending on severity, common symptoms in pregnancy can develop into complications. Pregnancy symptoms may be categorized based on trimester as well as region of the body affected.

<i>Ill See You in My Dreams</i> (2015 film) Film by Brett Haley

I'll See You in My Dreams is a 2015 American comedy-drama film directed, co-written, and co-produced by Brett Haley. It stars Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Åkerman, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place. It was released on May 15, 2015 in a limited release by Bleecker Street.

<i>Waitress: The Musical</i> American musical film

Waitress is a 2023 American musical comedy-drama film consisting of a live stage recording of Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson's 2015 musical of the same name, based on the 2007 film of the same name written by Adrienne Shelly.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Wiseman, Andreas (March 23, 2021). "Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Takes All International Rights To Sundance Comedy 'Together Together'". Deadline .
  2. ↑ "Together Together". British Board of Film Classification . Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  3. ↑ Debruge, Peter (December 15, 2020). "Sundance Film Festival Lineup Features 38 First-Time Directors, Including Rebecca Hall and Robin Wright". Variety . Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 11, 2021). "NEON & Bleecker Street Launch Joint Home Entertainment Distribution Company DECAL". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Together Together". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 4, 2023. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  6. ↑ "Together Together". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Together Together". Box Office Mojo . IMDb . Retrieved February 4, 2023. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.