TIFF 2024 Review: Do I Know You From Somewhere?

A couple seems to move in and out of each other’s life at random or is it caused by the intersection of two different relationship scenarios occurring at the same time?  

Things start appearing and disappearing while Olive and Benny are spending time at their lake house like a toy bunny, wooden wagon, and kitchen magnets.  There are flashbacks to when the couple first met but also hints of a mysterious woman who may or may not have a romantic relationship with Olive.

There is a Sliding Doors premise in play where one wonders how life would have played out if different choices were made.  In this case, everything centres around a wedding reception where Olive is drunk and depressed and ends up meeting her mate whose identity changes depending on circumstance.  Adding further mystery is the numerical kitchen magnets appear to be counting down to something.  The opening sequence showcases mirror images folding into each other which resembles the intersection of two alternative dimensions that are similar yet different.

Granted there are somewhat serious moments like Benny worrying about disappearing and a lady who appears in his workshop telling him that he does not belong but generally the tone has a boozy light touch.  The situations play out like sketches rather than moments in time which gives the impression of something more meant for television than film.  The pairing of Caroline Bell and Ian Ottis Goff creates a caring relationship that is believable; this is not entirely the same case with Mallory Amirault as Ada.  The cutesiness does make the situation endearing but does not lay the foundation for being considered memorable.

The 49th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 5-15, 2024, and for more information visit tiff.net.    

Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada; he can be found at LinkedIn.