I have a low tolerance for schmaltz. I’m not automatically against a sappy movie, but if I find a flick to be too mawkish, then I’m instantly repelled (see my negative reaction to this year’s acclaimed “Life of Chuck” as proof). Fortunately, “All of You,” Apple TV Plus’ new original romantic drama, manages to walk the fine line between sentimentality and saccharine.
Starring Brett Goldstein, best known for his role as the shouty Roy Kent in Apple’s “Ted Lasso,” who also serves as a co-writer (alongside director William Bridges), “All of You” has been a long time coming after premiering over a year ago at the Toronto Film Festival. But don’t mistake the delay between its debut and streaming release as an indictment of its quality. While hardly reinventing the romantic drama genre, this tender movie hits all the right notes, and I have no doubt it’s going to leave a few viewers in floods of tears.
The chemistry between Goldstein and co-lead Imogen Poots is what really sells the (melo)drama here, and their romance is easy to buy into when they appear to have such a natural ease with each other. Plus, there’s a small sci-fi wrinkle, which adds some extra flavor to the mix, even if it largely fades into the background after the first act.
If you’re looking for something new to watch this weekend, “All of You” is my firm first-choice recommendation. And considering I’m so often turned away by movies that desperately want you to cry (though, for the record, my tear ducts remained dry throughout), that comes as a very pleasant surprise. Here’s why I think “All of You” is among Apple’s strongest originals of 2025.
What is ‘All of You’ about?
“All of You” is set in a world identical to our own, except with the presence of “The Test” which promises to match you with your soulmate. Which certainly sounds simpler than endlessly scrolling dating apps or spending your weekends hoping to experience a spontaneous meetcute.
Simon (Brett Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots) have been best friends since college, but find themselves slowly drifting apart when Laura takes the test and is matched up with Lukas (Steven Cree). She may have now met her “soulmate,” but there are deep, unspoken, and passionate feelings between these two pals. “Just good friends,” they ain’t.
Over the years, they face the hurdles of life while attempting to figure out their complex feelings for each other and ultimately decide whether they should break free from the paths laid in front of them.
Should you stream ‘All of You’ on Apple TV Plus?
The “will-they-won’t-they” trappings of “All of You” are extremely routine. The romantic drama genre is bursting with movies that center on two likable leads who really should be together, but fate, or other romantic rivals, or just really bad timing, constantly gets in the way. In this regard, “All of You” doesn’t even attempt to reinvent the wheel; it rolls down a path that more movies (and TV shows) than I could list here have walked before.
Goldstein’s Simon is basically a diet Roy Kent. Still a gruff type but with slightly softer edges. Poots’ Laura is the more complex of the two, torn between her love for her best friend and the fact that she’s just been paired up with her literal soulmate.
The “but” here is that because Goldstein and Poots are so excellent, both as individuals and as a collective pairing. I was invested in their relationship dynamic, despite feeling like I’ve seen this movie many times before.
Goldstein’s Simon is basically a diet Roy Kent. Still a gruff type but with slightly softer edges. However, he’s still capable of ranting about how much he hates farmers’ markets, which feels very Kent-coded. Poots’ Laura is the more complex of the two, torn between her love for her best friend and the fact that she’s just been paired up with her literal soulmate.
The two have everything you could want in a movie couple. Simon and Laura are capable of playful banter, but also staring deeply into each other’s eyes with deep longing built up over a period of years. There’s also a pleasant emotional maturity about their dynamic. Simon, in particular, is patient and deeply understanding (maybe to a fault), and the movie isn’t constructed around some silly misunderstanding played for cheap dramatic effect.
Which isn’t to say there aren’t some plot contrivances on occasion. Plus, the liberal use of time jumps robs viewers of seeing some key moments in the story. You might at times find yourself shouting at the screen, just wishing these two would figure out a way to get past the obstacles in their way. But maybe that’s the point: humans are remarkably good at miscommunication and getting in the way of their own happiness. “All of You” reflects that.
Hopping back to the subject of time jumps, co-writers Goldstein and Bridges make the smart decision to not directly display how much time has passed between scenes. This leads to engaging moments as you play detective trying to piece together where each character is now, and it also results in some clever reveals that play with viewer expectations in interesting ways.
Most impressively, “All of You” is a movie of tender, quiet passion. There are no high-concept sequences or swelling scenes where one character rushes to a church to stop a wedding. Instead, it’s almost melancholic in its approach, and better for it. Simon and Laura feel like real people — side characters are significantly less fleshed out — that you come to understand.
The hallmark of a good romantic drama is that by the end of the movie, you are genuinely invested in the central relationship. Without any spoilers, when “All of You” reached its beachside conclusion, I was hanging on each word softly spoken. In a year of streaming movies that has been more than a little disappointing across the board, “All of You” is a rare beacon and further solidifies Apple TV Plus’ reputation as the home of quality originals.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
Stream “All of You” on Apple TV Plus now
More from Tom’s Guide
Source link
