Finding your soulmate is like shooting an arrow at an arrow. The reality is, most of the time, you’re going to miss. But what if? This “what if” is explored in Summer Shelton’s romantic feature, You & I.
Sara (Summer Shelton), a successful businesswoman, heads home to Tennessee to celebrate her sister Misty’s (Ashley Shelton) birthday with Misty’s husband, Mark (Linds Edwards). Just as the three begin to celebrate, in walks Joseph (Clayne Crawford), Sara’s former love. You could cut the tension with a knife.
Many years have passed, and both Sara and Joseph have moved on in their lives, but that small smoldering spark of love still burns. That night, the two begin to catch up on old times and pick up where they left off. Just before the flames of passion can ignite, their past rears its ugly head.
For romance fans, falling in love is never easy…much like life. In film, it starts with love at first sight, and then a series of insurmountable obstacles are placed in the way of our lovers—seeing someone else, that job across the country, or family disapproval. The endings are either romantic or tragic.
“That small smoldering spark of love still burns…”
You & I explores the tragic…many years later. With the feelings of romance rekindled for Sara and Joseph, is it easy just to pick up where they left off? First, they have to confront what split them apart in the first place. As the years passed, both became very different people and had their own relationships along the way. Can our pair find true love, or are they doomed to repeat the same mistakes?
After watching You & I, writer/director/star Summer Shelton has thought about this subject for a long time. This is evident in the subtle emotional performances of Clayne Crawford and her. Much of the story comes from what is written in her script and what is not written in her script.
Regarding the performances, Shelton and Crawford have a loose and casual rapport. At certain obvious moments, there is a great deal of dialogue between the two leads and it comes across as natural…very “method,” if you will. Grounded and authentic…never feeling like they’re merely reciting lines of dialogue.
You & I is also a microbudget production. Small cast and simple sets, you don’t need that much to tell a good story. All you need is a good story.
You & I is a fantastic tale of modern romance. Think about that time you went home or attended a high school reunion and saw your former love. Instantly, in your mind, that question pops up: What if? You & I now acts upon that question.
"…falling in love is never easy...much like life."
