If you enjoy Somebody I Used to Know (2023), check out these 7 movies: In a Charlie Kaufman script, Joel Barish remarks, “Valentine’s Day is a holiday devised by greeting card merchants to make people feel like trash.” Don Draper from Mad Men claims that love was created by men like him to sell nylon while making fun of today’s consumerist culture. Despite all of these pessimistic viewpoints and capitalistic relationships, we are powerless against the emotion of love. In Dave Franco’s latest movie, a character struggles with this emotion while still trying to move on from her separation.
Despite having typical romance clichés, “Someone I Used to Know,” which has a moving performance from Allison Brie, manages to be a hit. Together with the delicate treatment of its subjects, the key reason is its empathetic response to her character’s inner struggle.
Here are a few more movies you might like seeing if you connected with her character and are looking for a movie that treats emotional difficulties with maturity.
96 (2018)
Similar to Blue Jay, 96 depicts the reunion of two high school sweethearts after many years. These two found it difficult to maintain contact after leaving their relationship on an unpleasant note because of the emotional strain. She now lives in Singapore, and he now works as a travel photographer. The school reunion, however, draws them back together and forces them to reminisce about the happy times. Due to their maturity at this point, they can understand the financial struggles and familial constraints that caused them to become resentful of one another.
With the help of Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha, ’96’ transforms into a sad journey through the incredibly realistic ruminations of its protagonists. The script, like Allison Brie’s film, alternates between the past and the present to demonstrate its deep comprehension of the characters’ psyches while addressing post-breakup healing. Similar to that movie, the two characters from 96 are able to come to terms with the tragic end of their relationship.
Before Sunset (2004)
Celine (played by Julie Delpy) and Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) run into each other again nine years after they first met in Vienna. They pursued their goals and grew in maturity over time, but they were unable to move past their brief romantic relationship that never developed into something meaningful. When they first meet, they intend to maximise their time. They no longer view the world through rose-colored glasses, though, as older folks do. More pragmatism and ideological influence are present. But, the yearning they share still lingers beneath them.
Like Dave Franco’s film, Richard Linklater’s timeless masterpiece deals with individuals managing the possibility of a relationship as well as the complex link between love, maturity, and ambition. The 2004 movie examines how individuals who have developed through time deal with a romantic relationship’s past, present, and future, yet their conclusions diverge from those of “Someone…”
Blue Jay (2016)
After living apart for more than 20 years, Amanda (played by Sarah Paulson) and Jim (played by Mark Duplass) unintentionally cross paths in Crestline, California, where they both grew up. Although still grieving his mother’s passing, he had come back to list his mother’s home. She had come back to see her expecting sister. Over the course of the day, they talk in depth about their shared history while remembering their high school romance.
During these brief hours, “Blue Jay” follows them and depicts a soul-stirring event full of frank dialogues. The long-lost lovers openly express their feelings while attempting to accept how things turned out. Here, when life-changing realisations take centre stage, the same emotional authenticity that can be found in the Alison Brie movie is also there. Because of the superb directing of Alexandre Lehmann, they have a visceral effect in its monochromatic townscapes.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Jason Segel’s character, Peter, is a music composer for a television programme similar to CSI. He chooses to take a trip to Hawaii to get over his split with his wealthy fiancée Sarah Marshall (played by Kristen Bell). Yet since she’s staying at the same hotel, Peter is forced to confront his challenging emotions rather than escaping them. Russel Brand’s character Aldous Snow is the eccentric singer that Sarah begins seeing, and Peter finds comfort in Rachel, the hotel’s front desk agent (played by Mila Kunis).
With the inclusion of Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, and Paul Rudd, the comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” never has a dull moment because to the cast’s comic prowess. The necessity of “letting go” is highlighted in Jason Segel’s script by balancing its dramatic and comedic elements, much like Dave Franco’s film does. It depicts a lover attempting to accept the end of a strong enough emotional connection. Jason Segel succeeds in painting a compelling portrayal of his bittersweet character, just like Allison Brie does.
Goodbye First Love (2011)
A young woman and her relationship with her first love are intimately portrayed in Mia Hansen-third Lve’s full-length movie. In her teenage years, Camille (Lola Créton) and Sullivan (Sebastian Urzendowsky) had a passionate relationship. Because of their youth, they held beliefs that lacked a solid foundation. When he finally leaves for his job aspirations, she is devastated. He says he’ll be back after finishing his course in a few months. She continues to cling to the dream of being with him in the interim. Only eight years later do they reunite and reignite their romance.
Similar to the Allison Brie-starring movie, “Goodbye First Love” paints a moving image of a character who is unable to move on from love and all the potential it had. To get away from who she was, Camille continually changing who she is. She rejects sentimental ideas, presents as mature, and yet gives way to melancholy over the love she was unable to let go of despite the passage of time. The movie takes a sympathetic stance in dealing with her journey, making it an appropriate recommendation on this list.
I Want You Back (2022)
The respective partners of Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate), two thirtysomethings, have dumped them. Noah does not like Emma’s lack of responsibility, while Anne finds her relationship with Peter, whom she has known for six years, to be boring. These two sad individuals stumble upon one another and aid in one other’s relationship repair. They find each other more capable throughout the time they spend together to rebuild their own relationships, but they are unclear of how to handle this emotional turbulence.
I Want You Back, like Somebody I Used to Know, features sad characters who struggle to move on with their lives. The answers they come up with and the lessons they learn show them developing emotionally while realising the value of a spouse who would embrace them despite their shortcomings. The acting performances help their psychological journeys have a bigger impact despite the clichés.
