Almost Love (2019) User Reviews

Almost Like it

[cgenevievej · 5/10 · 13 September 2020]

I "Almost Love" this movie- it's staying in the "Yeah I liked it" group for me. It's slow and easy to follow and I was curious to how this would end. I'm really disappointed that Haley (Zoe Chao) is conflicted about her feelings about Scott James (Christopher Gray), he's 17. It doesn't seem realistic for someone in her mid-30s to fall for a high school kid. Just seems out of touch for me. But I am glad she pushed him away and he was mature enough to meet another girl. I liked that Cammy (Michelle Buteau) tried to give Henry (Colin Donnell) a chance, though I wish they would've taken their time to explore his story line and the real reasons why he's homeless and how this could be addressed - as opposed to focusing on whether or not a self-respecting woman would sleep with a homeless man. The relationship between Adam (Scott Evans) and Marklin (Augustus Prew) was the most realistic for me. I thought their messy, conflicted relationship with secrets and insecurities was easy to relate to.

Goes nowhere

[codygdietrich · 5/10 · 26 May 2020]

Almost Love starts with a few people/couples with relationship problems. An hour and half of a whole lot of filler latter and they come to the obvious answer that everyone knew at the beginning or the film or just go with the "I'm not going to let it bother me" philosophy. There is no real drama or tension which means no real character development/growth in the movie which makes it feel kind of pointless. I've seen episodes of television shows that accomplish more with less than a half hour of actual story telling than this movie did in over an hour and a half of story telling.

No subtitles & no subtext

[curious-31675 · 6/10 · 22 May 2022]

Mild, mindless & harmless way to pass a little time. Actors are all affable. Characters are barley a sketch of actual humans but it is a movie after all...but I don't think we even know what two of the main characters do for a living...yet they're all likably "messed up" in their own ways. Lots of highly photogenic NYC spots. Favorite throwaway line: "OMG The Whitney" as if a NY'er wouldn't know where the Whitney is (you would have to be blind not to see it before you came off the stairs from the Highline - there is an entrance up there)...did make me miss NYC for a hot second. Do a bunch of Wordle (the website not the Times) while you watch it - definitely don't need your whole brain for this. No loose ends and - shocking - everyone is happily paired up at the end.

IDKW they threw in a scene with an alcoholic parent. Is that a last ditch effort to give the character's pain some depth? Did they forget to edit it out? There is no backstory for these characters - there's barely a "now" story, unless you catch a street sign you don't even know where they live. Isn't where you live in NYC as much as your identity as what you do for a living?

Enjoyable but somehow not quite ripe

[aharon-izraeli · 7/10 · 17 April 2020]

I definitely wouldn't call this a bad move, but there's something not quite on point and I'm not sure what. The acting is reasonable but I feel that it could have been much better. I gave it a 7. On the other hand, in sea of gay-themed duds this is really quite good. If you like the genre, you'll probably enjoy it. I am not sure if I'd watch it more than once though

NO-ONE WAS HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS MOVIE

[fionastaun · 7/10 · 30 August 2020]

Lightly sprinkled with dating woes. Match-ups and break-ups That's about it really. Plus quite a strange wardrobe style.

Great Cast but....

[[e-mail] · 5/10 · 17 September 2020]

This film had potential with an outstanding ensemble cast and some good performances but my goodness the script was all over the place. Maybe it was editing but the entire film was so disjointed. Characters were poorly developed.

hmmm

[mokegent-33546 · 7/10 · 25 December 2021]

Not sure what to say about this movie. I feel like I saw a story, but a chaotic one... Not really leading to a real story and the story are like noise in a silent room. Some stuff is happening but it doesnt fit all togheter very well. If the script would be a bit better this might been a very good movie. If you put your mind on zero and just watch it... just try to enjoy the story...

Beyond Boring

[Keith1620 · 5/10 · 10 August 2020]

This movie goes absolutely nowhere, acting is mediocre at best. Kate Walsh is completely wasted in this movie. My rating of 5 Stars is even pushing it.

A film about nothing!

[qui_j · 2/10 · 12 September 2021]

This film is basically unwatchable! It's a show about nothing, with a group of characters who just seem to constantly talk but say nothing. The writing is not clever and the dialog is just silly. After a while one starts to feel that the story and everything else is made up as the film progresses, so viewer interest isn't sustained. Must have been made either as a vanity project for someone...or just as a tax write off! Either way, it's a total waste of time!

I enjoyed it

[tommymoses-82110 · 9/10 · 12 August 2020]

Was it the best film ever made? No. But it was a entertaining enough to watch. I actually found myself enjoying it. I wish people would allow themselves to step back from reality a little bit and just enjoy something for what it is. Doesnt need to be overanalyzed

What a waste

[rd_pires · 4/10 · 30 June 2022]

Everyone in this movie has such a chip on their shoulder. They all desperately need therapy and are so incredibly insipid. Why can't any of them have a conversation without randomly getting angry and defensive? I spent the entire time begging, BEGGING someone to have the maturity talk to someone else without shouting something and running away.

Please don't watch this unless you have divine patience.

A breath of fresh air

[jromanbaker · 10/10 · 28 June 2020]

I truly love this film. It is a breath of fresh air in the stagnant world we are currently living in. It is full of humour, and it is heart warming in the best sense of the term. It has faults and is a little bit contrived, but it encompasses both love and friendship in a way that it should be for all of us. Scott Evans and Augustus Drew as the central gay couple are realistically convincing, and at times I wanted to reach into the screen and hug them. And around them a cluster of friends who have their problems as they do, and yet somehow they all pull through and without spoilers the ending is magical. There was no explicit sex in it and it was not needed. I watched this after seeing the truly dismal ' Blue is the Warmest Colour ' and it was a relief to see good editing, perfect acting from all of the actors which was distinctly lacking in the above mentioned film. The scene between the two male lovers sitting on a bench facing the Brooklyn Bridge was a major standout and it takes a brilliant director to make that view look bright as new paint. I have a great respect for films that show goodness and a love of life, and this film is a tonic that everyone should see. I repeat; I loved every moment of it.

Great film

[riddellronnie · 10/10 · 2 July 2019]

I truly enjoyed Sell By. I found it insightful and thought provoking, yet still laugh out loud funny at moments. This film is well worth your time to watch, and may even cause you to think about relationships, gay and heterosexual, in ways you have not before!

Deserves A Better Rating

[pparkerhasanemail · 8/10 · 12 April 2020]

I guess in order to get a decent rating for a movie involving gay men it has to include half naked chiselled bodies accompanied by that one homophobe character who comes along to shake things up. Haven't we evolved into wanting more for our gay characters and wanting to actually see and relate to a long term relationship between two men. This movie has its faults but deserves more credit than what it seems to be getting. It's nice to see two men in a long term relationship trying to navigate the ups and downs of what they want their future to look like together.

Happy times

[earl-rose · 9/10 · 4 April 2020]

This is an ensemble picture. I love those. And this film is a great demonstration of how an ensemble can work together to tie many threads together. A group of Manhattanites meet others and chemistry dictates reactions. Not always easy or immediate. Someone says that relationships are hard work. True. But if we work for them the results are worth the effort and more so. And here I am with cliches when there is hardly one in this fine movie. Surprises ensue. The tension holds to the very end and then fireworks. Young, able actors and a loving writer/director. HEFN

Love the characters, MAKE THIS INTO A TV SHOW

[SimonRocque · 10/10 · 6 April 2020]

The color palette of the film is gorgeous, and these characters are just lovely. I wish I could see more of their stories...like made into a tv series, pretty please. Great rental. :):):)

A fun movie with likeable characters

[cekadah · 8/10 · 15 April 2020]

This movie is a delightful comic soaper. My only problem is the plot comes across as choppy and not enough info on the secondary characters. (Think Carl) Plus the house in the woods - how did that figure into the story?

The recurring appearance of the ice-cream truck was brilliant!

Lovely film

[rich-fouts · 10/10 · 25 August 2020]

Mike Doyle wrote and directed Sell By (Re-named Almost Love) about a group of people with first world problems in New York City. Overall, a great ensemble piece with some great laugh-out-loud moments, mostly delivered with the superb skill of Michelle Buteau who plays a sort of concierge to this group of quirky friends. The story is superbly cast with Zoe Chou, the neurotic tutor struggling with an inappropriate relationship with a student, Colin Donnell who is terrific as Cammy's (Buteau) homeless boyfriend, and Kate Walsh (who is always good) as Adam's close friend and confidant (who is married to Damon, played by a terrific Chaz Lamar Shepard). Augustus Prew (as Marklin) and Scott Evans (Adam, an artist) play central roles as a gay couple going through the usual ebbs and flows of journeying intimacy (concomitant with Augustus' painful secret). All strong actors, but the stand-out is clearly Scott Evans who delivers a wonderfully touching, moving performance. I will probably watch this movie again at some point.

Sweet, but not too much

[stevedgrossman · 10/10 · 16 April 2020]

A nice, sweet flick. Good cast, well done.

Big commercial romcoms can be too over the top. This one was not. Really enjoyed it.

Extra! Extra!! This movie is a must see!

[Cameron-Daniels · 10/10 · 3 May 2020]

This movie provides a unique inside look at a long-term gay relationship. Portrayed by a talented cast, you're guaranteed to laugh and shed an occasional tear while peeking into the lives of a group of friends navigating through the ups & downs of life together.

Fun movie!

[nedonovan-96522 · 9/10 · 12 April 2020]

I'm always a sucker for a movie that can make me laugh and shed a tear. Almost Love was the perfect combination of both funny and a little bit of sad. Great cast! Great movie!

Just what we need now...

[dontdrumusico · 10/10 · 22 October 2020]

I just finished watching "Almost Love" on Netflix and loved every minute. It is a breath of fresh air with relatable characters and heartfelt stories that intertwine with pathos and truth. And being a songwriter (among many things) I loved the score and songs which added so much to the story-line. Thank you for making this beautiful film.

A great feel good film

[bnlcl · 10/10 · 3 April 2020]

I loved this film, it's a tale of a group of friends and their lives and the ups and downs they face in their relationships living in New York, each character has their own story line and each character is linked with the others but it never feels too much or crowded. Great writing, directing and performances all work together make this a great film, it's funny, sweet, heartwarming and makes you smile. And Colin Donnell's performance is perfect and funny. If you are looking for a feel good film then i would 100% recommend Almost Love (also known as Sell By) and i give it a full 10/10

ALMOST PERFECT

[yeldarbwow · 9/10 · 30 May 2022]

Nice slice of life. Refreshing break from other genres of movies. Always enjoy a movie that makes me laugh & cry. Appreciated the dynamics between the family of friends because it reminded me of my own chosen families.