Almost Love

Almost Love is a warm and heart-tugging romance-drama film released in 2019. The movie, written and directed by Mike Doyle, offers a picture of modern-day love and relationships set in the melting pot that is New York City. Starring Scott Evans, Augustus Prew, and Michelle Buteau, the movie weaves a narrative that is at once charming and poignant, offering insights into various facets of relationships, from love and friendship to ambition and infidelity.

At the heart of Almost Love is a couple, Adam (Scott Evans) and Marklin (Augustus Prew), who have been in a relationship for five long years - a timeline not usually explored in many mainstream romantic films. The story digs beyond the typical infatuation phase and delves deeper into the intricacies that make or break relationships. Adam is a painter-turned-ghost-artist for a pre-teen Instagram influencer, while Marklin runs a successful "capsule wardrobes" business. Their contrasting careers and degrees of success bring about strains in their relationship, which they navigate through bravely, albeit with glaring uncertainties and gradual revelations about their compatibility.

In addition to Adam and Marklin's relationship, Almost Love also touches upon other relationships set in the modern, bustling environment of New York City. They include the friendship between Adam and Cammy (Michelle Buteau), who works in a school and navigates a complex relationship with a homeless guy, and an ageing actor, who carries a secret torch for his best friend. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that there’s more going on in each of these relationships, and the plot skillfully intertwines them without compromising the authenticity of each story.

It's worth mentioning that Scott Evans and Augustus Prew's performances are one of the strong points of the film. Their nuanced portrayal of Adam and Marklin ensures that the audience relates to them and their struggles. They give an impressive display of the day-to-day beauties and challenges of any long-term relationship - a combination of familiarity and evolution, each day merging into the next but every moment bringing something new. The ensemble cast - Buteau, Zoe Chao, Colin Donnell, and Patricia Clarkson- each delivers a performance in their respective roles that elevate the charm and depth of the narrative.

Almost Love excels in its representation of the LGBTQ+ community. It churns out a refreshing narrative that is not just about a same-sex relationship, but a relationship that is as intricate as it is powerful, as delicate as it is resilient. The film expertly navigates through matters of love and longing, betrayals and break-ups, security and uncertainty- all too relatable to any demographic watching it.

The narrative is further highlighted by the backdrop of New York City, establishing a connection between its fast-paced life and the complex dynamics of its protagonists' relationships. The city's vibrancy, diversity, and beauty are intricately woven into the narrative, which infuses an engaging vibrancy to the film.

Using a blend of drama and light-hearted comedy, Almost Love offers viewers a complex, realistic examination of modern relationships in a diverse and fast-moving metropolitan environment. Narrative threads deal with a multitude of themes including love and friendship, ambition and compromise, longevity and evolution, making Almost Love not just a romance film, but a comprehensive exploration of human connections and how they evolve over the years.

In summary, Almost Love unfolds as a tale of love, friendship, desires, and the various shades of relationships that exist in our society. This film allows viewers to immerse themselves in the intricacies and layers of modern-day relationships, threading an assortment of compelling, relatable, and heartfelt stories. With a blend of compelling performances, authentic representation, and a poignant narrative, Almost Love is a must-watch for anyone seeking a profound, relatable, and heart-warming cinematic experience.