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:

isle of wight | london england | best friend | 1970s | friendship | 

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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

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 Wild Strawberries (1957)

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Soundtracks

Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K185
(1773)
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Mozart)
CAV A 6009
Provided by Boosey Media, London

User Reviews

A Sensual Experience

I've always been a huge fan of British films and 'Me Without You' certainly didn't let me down. It doesn't only show vividly the agonies and struggles of growing up from a girl to a woman, it also presents the joys in a way that all can identify with.

I believe most can empathize with Marina, when she tore up the letter Nat wrote to Holly, or when she tries her very best just so that she can have Holly all to herself. Friel forces us to come face to face with the Marina in ourselves.

Williams deserves more credit for her stunning performance in the film. Undoubtedly, her quiet and reserved way of playing Holly has found itself into the hearts of many, especially with her desperate yearning for Nat.

To term this epic a 'chick flick' is certainly doing it and its actors great injustice. I walked away after watching it for the third time saying, 'God, I love this movie.' Kudos to the writer and director!

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:

Me Without You

Filming Locations:

Ramsey, Isle of Man

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,816, 7 July 2002

Gross USA:

$304,909

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$369,226

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fireworks Pictures, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Momentum Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 94 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1