Together Together

by Julian Spivey

Photo: Bleecker Street

Director: Nikole Beckwith 
Starring: Ed Helms, Patti Harrison & Tig Notaro 
Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hour & 30 minutes

Director-writer Nikole Beckwith’s “Together Together,” which had its world premiered almost a year ago at the Sundance Film Festival before seeing a limited released in late April, is an interesting story you don’t often (or really ever) see.
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The film, which can now be seen streaming on Hulu, is the story of a single middle-aged man Matt, played by Ed Helms who always seems to be at his best in these small indies, who wants to be a father and seeks out a surrogate Anna, played by Patti Harrison. Matt wants a child. Anna needs the money. But neither of them expects the purely transactional relationship to blossom into friendship, and this is where Beckwith’s film finds its big heart.

The chemistry between Helms and Harrison, who pretty much the entire film relies on as none of the supporting characters have much screen time, is charming as all get out, which makes “Together Together” a breezy watch, especially as it doesn’t overstay its welcome at 90 minutes.

There’s a “will-they-or-won’t-they” develop this friendship into a relationship, despite the 15-20 year old age gap between the characters, for much of the film but it never really gets that far, which might be a bummer for some viewers, but I think is a nice place for the film to leave off. Matt and Anna might spend the rest of their lives together, but will they be together together? I don’t know that I care so much as long as they remain friends because they’re at least meant to be together in that way.

Beckwith’s film is simple. It’s not going to be anything you haven’t seen before, other than maybe it’s overall plot about a man seeking a kid through a surrogate alone (we’ve certainly seen it the other way around). But “Together Together” has loads of charm and is a lovely viewing to spend a lazy afternoon or evening with.