The People You Know is a film of three dimensional characters inhabiting a three dimensional world. The story is told in such a simple, straightforward and above all honest way that one might get the impression of watching a Robert Bresson film.
This film not only consistently resists the urge to be clever, to embellish, to explain, but also treats the viewer and its characters with the utmost respect. So many independent films strain at recreating a Hollywood style through elements that will add to "production value" while forgetting that true production value lies in the story told and the performances of the actors. If you are looking for a film filled with complicated but unmotivated camera movements, shots and scenes which provide eye candy for the viewer but nothing else or fast paced action that caters to the attention deficit disorder world we live in, then this film might not be for you. If you prefer a film that understands and has something to say about the human condition and does so in a unpretentious way, then you should find this film immensely rewarding.
There are only four characters in the entirety of the film but all four are drawn with care and acted superbly. The two main characters, Edie and Will, belong in the pantheon of unforgettable screen couples. This film was truly a joy to watch.
