The Republic of Two (2013) User Reviews

Very easy to forget

[cekadah · 5/10 · 6 September 2014]

A simple story of two people - one male the other female - meet, date, fall for each other, then one moves in with the other and the conflicts start.

Tim is studying to be a doctor. Caroline works at a movie post production business. Tim and Caroline decide to live together. Tim's schedule is very demanding but this is fine with Caroline in the beginning. Tim still likes to hang out with his single friends. Caroline gets an opportunity to take a major step up in the company she works for and she expects Tim to pick up the domestic obligations she no longer has time to do with the duties of her new position. Tim neither has the time nor the will to do this.

This story has been told in many ways and writer/director Shaun Kosta brings us a newer modern twist on this male/female story. Brent Baily and Janet Montgomery give fine performances as Tim and Caroline. Unfortunately the story is very easy to forget because I watched this movie about two weeks before writing this review and I had to read about the plot first to refresh my memory. It's entertaining while you watch but you just might forget what it was all about 10 minutes later.

Beautifully Honest

[cahiersducinema44 · 10/10 · 27 April 2014]

It's no surprise this film has been called a conversation starter – in fact, I doubt I'll ever have another "relationship conversation" without thinking I'm being a bit of a Caroline or he's being a total Tim.

They say the more personal, the more universal. This work is proof of that for I felt as if the filmmaker had spied on my personal life - no wonder he won Best New Director. It's an insanely honest and beautiful film.

Have fun carrying these two characters with you as you figure out what you believe about love - for they are mirrors, and this little film is art.

Cinematic Rorschach Test

[FlyyyPelicannn · 10/10 · 3 May 2014]

All I wanted to do was call this thing a "Cinematic Rorschach Test" and be done with my review, mostly because I completely agree with @cahiersducinema44. But apparently this site makes you write 10 lines or more, so I'll tell you about the Q&A I attended after a screening at New Orleans Film Festival. Literally every.single.person stayed in their seat, young and old, male and female to discuss this movie. What was surprising (and kind of uncomfortable for me) though, was that one woman even asked the filmmaker if he still believes in love! I actually felt like it made me believe more in love in some small way, but interesting she felt compelled to ask such a personal question. Maybe it says more about her than the filmmaker? Alas my title: Cinematic Rorschach Test. Take it.

Going to tell all my friends to see this!

[brighterthanlight · 10/10 · 12 May 2014]

I can't wait to see what all of these talented people do next - Janet Montgomery's & Brent Bailey''s performances made me forget I was watching a movie. I almost felt guilty, as if I were living next-door to them and constantly eavesdropped on their relationship. I wonder if there was a lot of improv or if this was true acting?? I think it may be the latter... in which case I can't wait to see what the writer/director does next too! It's too bad I can't find any theatrical releases for this film because I want to tell all my friends to go see it - I know they will relate on a very deep level. Hopefully it will be widely available online.

Shaun Kosta nailed it!!!

[nkdiddy · 8/10 · 24 October 2019]

I consider myself a very harsh critic. No, I have no magazines, or blogs, and I do not have a degree from a film school. I do however has taste in movies. The one thing I can state is why I do believe this movie deserves the rating it got.

I did a review on my show N.Y.N.E.R (Not Your Normal Entertainment Review), after interviewing Mr. Kosta about his next project. (link at the very bottom). We have our two main characters Tim and Caroline. Let's get one thing straight from jump street, there is nothing special about these two. They are simply ordinary people that are an ordinary couple. But here's why that's not a big deal. They represent US as normal people. We are the normal people in everyday life. When you go to the movies, you want to hear about some guy who is struggling for love while battling alcoholism because of the trauma he endured as a child, and she is a former sex worker who has three kids. The actor you want is appealing and a very charismatic. The actress looks a mess until you doll her up in makeup. You don't get that with Tim or Caroline. You see two very normal people and that's what I think is the best part. In my life I have met a thousand Tims and met a thousand Carolines. They are human, they have live's like you and me. What's most intriguing about them is they express the very same problems that any young couple struggles with. For example, there is a scene where after Tim and Caroline move in, the first thing Tim wants to do is consummate the relationship. She however isn't in the mood. When he comes home from work, she is in bed waiting for him. When he doesn't show interest, she takes offense by it. She takes it to the next level of offense by storming into the bathroom to take a shower. You see she is visibly upset. Why? He was upset when she turned him down, why is she so upset? If you don't know the answer to this, you've obviously never been in love, or you've never paid attention to her/him. Caroline is venting to him to Tim in this scene and anyone can tell that he just doesn't seem interested. He is looking at his phone and he is looking around. Of course she is going to be upset. Anyone would. Even if you space out for one second while your partner is talking/venting to you, and you're not paying attention, and then say "Oh I am listening now," you have already messed up. The damage is done. This is life. This is reality. This happens everyday in the world. From the spontaneous moments of anger, or romance, or even when Caroline pops his pimples (Guys be honest ladies do that all the time), and how she puts her feet against his skin where Tim calls Caroline's feet "cadaver feet/teeth". If you are in a relationship and say she has never done that, I call BS. This is life in a relationship. In this movie, it shows how a relationship can be lovey dovey, then its World War III. Its so raw, especially considering how the couple communicates with one another. Folks, Communication is the most essential part of a relationship. Even talking about your day can make a difference and LISTENING is what matters. There is so much this movie nails when it comes to human emotion. This scares people because this isn't something they want to see. Honestly, people have to see this. Because this movie shows us, as people. Their relationship could very well be close to YOUR relationship. When we go to the movies to escape reality. When we are faced with reality in the movies, we are terrified by it. You can walk out of a movie and say "Well that was a good movie, glad that will never happen", but a movie like this, it ALWAYS happens. ALWAYS. Sometimes we are too blind or we just missed the point of a movie like this. Does this movie has some lacking points? Of course. But there is so much about this movie that makes it a solid 8/10. I could go on, but honestly the best way for me to share this, is by clicking the link below. Thank you all. Great Movie Shaun. Everyone did a great job in this movie, and I do mean everyone.

So relatable

[brittany-162-640574 · 10/10 · 17 November 2014]

We have all had a relationship like the one depicted in the Republic of Two. I watched this film with a girlfriend of mine and we spent hours afterward discussing all the ways that we were able to relate to the couple in the film. We are now both happily in normal, functional relationships, and watching this movie made us realize how much we've matured and grown!

This is a good movie to watch with your (sane) significant other or friends.

It's not a traditional rom-com; it's funny but depressing; light-hearted but dark; hopeful then not.