Aahana Swrup
Originally titled ‘Noi, un Po’ Meglio,’ ‘You, Me, Us’ is an Italian dramedy film that delves into the serpentine nuances of a relationship between two people who are polar opposites. Lucia is a free-spirited woman who has never been one to be tied down. Inversely, Simone comes from a big family and, despite his insistence to the contrary, wants to settle down in domestic bliss one day as well. Regardless of their differences, the two fall in love hard and fast and build a life together, one full of ups and downs.
Eventually, they decide to grow their family and go down the adoption route. Initially, it seems like the bureaucratic strings attached to the process might be their biggest obstacle. However, the further the couple moves with the undertaking, the more obvious the buried internal issues in their romance begin to come out. As such, their family, as well as their love story, comes under threat of unraveling. Directed by Daniele Luchetti, the sentimental film centers around the widely relatable and realistic story of the tension between romance and compatibility and its impact on one’s future.
You, Me, Us Explores the Adoption Process Through a Realistic Lens
The central storyline in ‘You, Me, Us’ finds a grounded premise as it follows a couple in their adoption journey. Nonetheless, the details of these characters’ relationship and their experiences as potential adoptive parents aren’t informed by any direct real-life inspiration. Lucia and Simone are both fictitious characters with no evident basis in reality. Instead, they chart a fictional journey through the bureaucratic intricacies of the adoption process. While their specific stories don’t have an off-screen counterpart, the challenges and legal requirements they face throughout this process remain grounded in reality. In Italy, a scrutinizing information interview is the earliest step in the adoption process for potential parental candidates. The Adoption Team also carries out psycho-social investigations, manages group discussions, and offers counseling as part of the process.
These initial steps present daunting challenges for Lucia and Simone, who feel like they have to push against the grating current of bureaucratic work in order to prove themselves worthy of starting a family. However, as the process develops, these interviews and investigations prove to be great tools for opening up the couple’s relationship to the complex interpersonal issues they have inadvertently buried over time. While bringing the institution of adoption agencies into the film, director Daniele Luchetti wanted to ensure that the process isn’t depicted in a hostile light. Instead, he wanted to showcase how sincere, honest, and enlightening this method can be for potential parents looking to expand their families. As a result, while the storyline remains a work of fiction penned by screenwriters Enrico Audenino, Davide Lantieri, and Serena Patrignanelli, its depiction of the Italian adoption process offers an authentic link to reality.
You, Me, Us Presents Its Protagonists’ Flaws in a Realistic Light
‘You, Me, Us’ derives much of its realism and relatability from its central characters, who drive the story forward. Lucia and Simone remain at the heart of the narrative as their personalities, experiences, and histories shape the film’s thematic resonance. Lucia’s complicated relationship with her own parents directly influences her relationship with domesticity and potential parenthood. Similarly, Simone’s background informs his relationship with the idea of family values and structures. This contradictory upbringing creates the primary conflict between the couple. It also showcases two starkly different, but equally realistic approaches to family life. Where Lucia’s desperation for independence and individuality might offer a sense of resonance to some, Simone’s desire to lay down traditional roots will be relatable to others.
Notably, the film depicts the perspectives of both characters in a neutral and affectionate light. Instead of villainizing one line of thought and glorifying the other, the story explores the nuances of both sides, depicting the positive as well as negative aspects of both philosophies. This was an intentional choice made by director Daniele Luchetti, who wanted to showcase Lucia and Simone’s characters without any judgment. Moreover, he was determined to present even the most flawed parts of each protagonist in an empathetic and compassionate light. As such, the audience is compelled to understand where both Lucia and Simone are coming from, which adds more authenticity and relatability to these characters. Ultimately, despite being fictitious, the protagonists and their storylines retain a sense of realism.
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