Just Between Us is director Zac Hug’s first film after having helmed some television. Hug co-wrote the short with Ben Baur, who also stars in it. The title does not refer to a secret kept between only two people, nor anything of the like. The “between us” is about sex between a happily married couple… in an open relationship. Is this relatable even for those who are not members of the LGBTQIA community or in an open relationship?
Dustin (Matthew Bridges) and Sam (Baur) seem to be quite content in their marriage. When Dustin travels for work, he’s free to have at it with anyone he wants. When Sam meets a cute person at the gym, said man is all his to pursue. Aside from individual fun, the couple often brings a third person into their bedroom. One night at a dinner party, a nosy friend is trying to wrap his head around how this arrangement works and inquires when the last time Sam and Dustin had sex, just the two of them. Reflecting on this sends Sam into a spiral as he tries to prove that he and his husband truly love each other.
Ben Baur and Matthew Bridges share a stunned moment, hilariously framed between Eddie Liu’s legs in the romantic comedy short Just Between Us.
“…inquires when the last time Sam and Dustin had sex, just the two of them.”
Running a quick 15 minutes and 49 seconds, Just Between Us is a fun snapshot into these people’s lives. While the supporting characters don’t have much more than one trait, the actors are entertaining enough to make an impression. However, the main story involving Sam and Dustin’s marriage has a proper beginning, middle, and end, which provides a very sweet conclusion.
Bridges has the more reserved role but fits the part excellently. Baur is hilarious, especially when getting Dustin to cover his eyes for a big surprise. Eddie Liu has a minute or so of screen time but gets the biggest laugh of the short.
Just Between Us is a sweet and fun look into how open relationships work and the complications that can arise from being in one. The actors are all swell, and the ending works brilliantly. To answer the question from earlier: yes, Hug’s short works as a romantic story steeped in silliness, even if the viewer isn’t a part of the LGBTQIA community or in an open relationship. Love is love, and as long as someone has felt that, the message at the end will resonate.
"…sweet and fun..."
