Movie Review: ‘Meeting You, Meeting Me’ – A Simple Tale of a Chance Encounter and a Serendipitous Friendship.

“Meeting You, Meeting Me,” a beautiful drama written and directed by Lina Suh, offers a heartwarming and profound exploration of friendship, vulnerability, and personal growth.

The film tells the story of two women, Simone and Savannah, who cross paths by chance and form an unlikely yet transformative friendship.

The narrative centres on divorce lawyer Simone (played by Sam Yim), and a social media influencer Savannah (played by Annika Foster). The two women, though seemingly opposites, are each in desperate need of a friend. Their unexpected meeting occurs when Savannah, on her way to the airport, shows up at Simone’s door to purchase a travelling backpack that Simone had posted online for sale. What starts as a simple transaction between two strangers quickly turns into an entire day spent together, marking the beginning of a deep connection.

Simone, clearly because of her Korean heritage, is meticulous and reserved, a trait that is reflected in her careful actions and words. A divorce lawyer and a divorcee, she is navigating the aftermath of her marital breakup and the recent loss of her mother. Simone’s life is structured and simple, yet she carries a weight of unresolved emotions and grief. Sam Yim delivers a compelling performance, capturing the nuances of Simone‘s internal struggle and her cautious approach to life.

Sam Yim in Meeting You, Meeting Me.

In contrast, Savannah is spontaneous and free-spirited, a social media influencer who is temporarily fleeing the fallout from a public altercation with another influencer. Savannah‘s candidness about her situation, including her decision to take a break from the digital world, reveals her vulnerability. She admits to possibly misinterpreting the actions of the other influencer, which led to her being accused of jealousy and enduring the brunt of cancel culture. Annika Foster embodies Savannah’s spirited and carefree demeanour, balancing it with the character’s underlying aspirations and moments of introspection.

The interactions between Simone and Savannah are the heart of the film. From their initial meeting, their conversation flows naturally, evolving from casual chit-chat to deep, meaningful exchanges. They open up about their lives, their challenges, and their dreams, creating a bond that feels genuine and heartfelt. The chemistry between Yim and Foster is palpable, making their burgeoning friendship believable and engaging.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its dialogue and that is lended by the quality of the writing. The dialogue feels authentic and unforced, steering clear of overly dramatic tropes often seen in films with a limited cast. Instead, the conversations feel real and spontaneous, allowing the characters’ personalities to shine through. The dialogue as casual as it seems also addresses sensitive topics such as racial stereotypes, trauma, marriage, and cyberbullying with a deft touch, enriching the narrative without feeling preachy.

There are some moments in the film that the story sort of leads you to think that these two women might start to get romantically involved. But doesn’t happen. The film sticks to the subject of an unlikely friendship between two strangers and that works.

Visually, “Meeting You, Meeting Me” offers a decent enough treat. The cinematography is aesthetically pleasing and can be compared to productions from major studios. Although the majority of the film is set within Simone’s simple townhome, the skilful use of interior and exterior shots prevents it from feeling confined. The house serves as a versatile backdrop, enhancing the narrative without overshadowing it.

Annika Foster in Meeting You, Meeting Me.

As the day progresses, Savannah‘s cheerful disposition encourages Simone to step out of her comfort zone, even prompting her to consider a fling with a young pizza delivery guy. However, when Savannah overhears a conversation between Simone and the delivery guy, her emotions get the better of her, leading to a disagreement. The tension between the new friends is a poignant moment in the film, highlighting the complexity of their developing relationship.

The story then fast-forwards three years. Simone, seeking to reconnect, finds that Savannah has returned to school to study psychotherapy. When they finally meet again, both women acknowledge that the day they spent together changed their lives profoundly. This reunion underscores the film’s central message which is that a single day, or even a few hours, with the right person, can alter the course of one’s life.

The three-year leap in the story comes almost unexpectedly and you might miss it even if you are not paying close enough attention. It is almost as though that sudden leap was to push the film to a climax quicker than necessary.

Also, even though there are some other supporting characters in the film, they are mostly voices over the phone. It would have been okay to at least have some scenes cut to these characters to break away a bit from the focus on the two lead characters. But the choice to keep these characters as voices over the phone also works well for the narrative nonetheless.

“Meeting You, Meeting Me” is a poignant reminder of the power of friendship and love. It beautifully captures the essence of human connection and the impact it can have on our lives.  Lina Suh has crafted a touching and visually pleasing film that celebrates the serendipitous nature of friendship and the healing power of human connection.

“Meeting You, Meeting Me” is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates heartfelt storytelling and nuanced character development and for this reason, I will score this film 7.5/10