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| Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass don't have much to work with in "The One I Love" (Radius-TWC) |
The One I Love
begins as an intriguing relationship study before descending into complete
chaos. Starring Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass, Charlie McDowell’s single-location
indie is too preoccupied with its central mystery, rendering the filmmaker's promising thoughts on marriage mere germs of ideas that wind up both jumbled
and insignificant. It’s a shame, because the presence of Duplass – among the finer
independent film directors working, and with a few solid performances under his
belt as well – and the always-terrific Moss promised something more. But these
two don’t have real characters to work with; instead, The One I Love brings out Duplass’ shortcomings as an actor, and never
ceases to absolutely waste Ms. Moss. There are moments of effective comedy and
intelligent provocation, but they’re ultimately bogged down by story – as the
film rolls along, the plot takes up more time, becomes more convoluted and lands
disappointingly flat. C