Me Without You (2001)

Two best friends grow up on the Isle of Wight and in Brighton in the 1970s and 1980s.

Director:

Sandra Goldbacher

Writers:

Sandra Goldbacher (screenplay), Laurence Coriat (screenplay)

Stars:

Anna Friel, Michelle Williams, Ella Jones

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ella Jones	...	Young Holly
Anna Popplewell	...	Young Marina
Cameron Powrie	...	Young Nat
Trudie Styler	...	Linda
Allan Corduner	...	Max
Deborah Findlay	...	Judith
Nicky Henson	...	Ray
Anna Friel	...	Marina
Michelle Williams	...	Holly
Oliver Milburn	...	Nat
Hannah Bourne	...	Carolyn
Russell Mabey	...	Craig (as Russell Maybey)
Blake Ritson	...	Tim
Francis Lee	...	Paul
Eve Cooper-Rose	...	Sophie

Storyline

Growing up in the 1970s on the Isle of Wight, Holly and Marina make a childhood pact to be friends forever. For the troubled, unpredictable Marina, with her seemingly glamorous father and her Valium-addicted mother, Holly stays the only constant in a life of divorcing parents, experimental drugs and fashionable self-destruction. Meanwhile, Holly buries herself in books out of feelings of frustration with her over-protective mother and a nagging insecurity around her beautiful and possessive best friend. She holds just one secret from Marina, her increasing passion for Marina's brother Nat. As the years roll by, the girls experience everything life has to offer, sex, love, loss and rock 'n roll. But eventually for Holly, a friendship which has never been equal gradually begins to feel like a trap.

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Plot Keywords:

best friend | 1970s | friendship | 1980s | f rated | 

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Taglines:

From Sandra Goldbacher, writer/director of The Governess, comes a film about the agonies and ecstasies of friendship.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, sexual content and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Momentum Pictures Synopsis, trailer (Media Player) [United States] Official site [United States]

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 November 2001 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Vida Sem Você

Filming Locations:

Ramsey, Isle of Man

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£45,532 (United Kingdom), 25 November 2001, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,816, 7 July 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$304,909

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fireworks Pictures, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Momentum Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anna Friel originally auditioned for the role of Holly.

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Goofs

In 1982 fragment "Do you want me to want you to?" Holly said her favorite film of Tarkovsky was "Nostalghia" (1983) which hadn't been released yet by that time.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Marina: [to blindfolded Holly] Take a step forward. And another one. And another. Right leg up. Higher. What's the matter, don't you trust me.

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Connections

References Dynasty (1981)

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Soundtracks

The Sweetest Girl
(1981)
Performed by Scritti Politti
Licensed by Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited
Written by Green Gartside
Published by Chrysalis Music Limited

User Reviews

visually rich and funny

I loved this film. I cannot fathom why the above reviewer calls it "maudlin" and the comparison to Antonia and Jane seems way off base, as does the comment that this is somehow like a Mike Leigh film! (makes me think they have never seen a Mike Leigh film). Also the comment on the "Miranda" character does not inspire confidence since the character's name is Marina!

In any case, this film deftly captures several eras with its complex and lush visual design, reflecting the inner world of Holly who is a creative, romantic soul and the outer surface of Marina who is a chameleon-like, savvy trendsetter. The music is also extremely well-utilized, as are the many pop cultural references that lend authenticity to the changes in chronology without being too obvious.

A fine cast too! Williams and Friel are excellent and their evolution from teenagers to young women to early thirties is convincing and enthralling. I also love Trudy Styler as a pill-popping, slutty- dressing "mom" and Allan Corduner has a solid turn as Holly's kind, befuddled father. Kyle Maclachlan seems somewhat miscast at times but plays the reckless professor well. I also found Oliver Milburn as Nat to be charming, and though she has a small role the French actress who plays his fiancé is great...I last saw her in My Sex Life and she is also terrific in that.

On its surface (the candybox colors, the fluffy music) this might seem like a Brit chick flick but it's really an exploration of what happens when an obsessive friendship grows beyond its usefulness.