There is no doubt that Love Me is a strange movie, but it teaches valuable lessons that humanity should learn before it is too late.
Love Me is a movie about a buoy and a satellite that connect in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are no more. In an effort to learn about the lifeforms that lived on Earth long ago, they grow and evolve, finding love, as well as experiencing many other emotions along the way.
Just by reading that, you are certainly thinking this is a strange concept – and it is. There is no doubt that the movie itself is bizarre. It starts off giving Wall-E vibes, but as soon as the two AI systems create Sims-like characters for themselves, that goes out the window. What starts off cute and adorable quickly becomes heavy, and sometimes dark.
Love Me is going to be a divisive film, there is no question about it. But something about it completely drew me in and I found myself hanging on every word. By the end, I was feeling inspired, while at the same time, eager to connect with my loved ones. I wanted to shout from the rooftops who I am and what I love about myself. I felt that I needed to take a few deep breaths, a break from work, and look inside.
Very rarely a film does this to me, but Love Me is one of them. I am not sure if this is the intent behind the film, but Me (Kristen Stewart) and Iam (Steven Yeun) both experience leaving curves and emotional bumps along the road to discovering who they are – something that humanity, whether we like it or not, can relate to.
Something that is repeatedly touched on in this film is the use of social media. Me and Iam learn about humans and life on Earth by scouring the internet. This means a lot of posts from YouTube and Instagram platforms.
Sometimes the things we post come off a little bit fake. We are not always completely honest with our followers about who we are and what we are feeling. Often we find ourselves embarrassed to fully open up to others, which is a heavy theme throughout Love Me. One that I know I could instantly relate to.
This movie got me thinking about being honest with myself, as well as my friends and family. Mental health is important. Taking care of yourself is easier said than done. Especially when you have a job that comes with the stress of deadlines. That is a fact of life, unfortunately. But Love Me left me wanting to take care of myself more.
The film itself is comprised of live-action and animation. It is intriguing and, in my opinion, very well done. Both Stewart and Yeun deliver great performances and while the script is sometimes lacking, for me that is explained away by the fact that these are computers speaking, not human beings.
Love Me will not be for everyone. Some people are going to hate it, others will love it, and some will be right in the middle. I came out of this film loving it – yet, I am unsure of exactly why, as strange as that might sound.
Decide for yourself when Love Me comes to theaters on January 31.
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About Love Me
In a story that spans billions of years, a buoy and a satellite meet online long after humanity’s extinction. As they learn what life was like on Earth, they discover themselves and what it means to be alive and in love.
In this groundbreaking first feature from directors Sam and Andy Zuchero, Love Me explores contemporary topics surrounding technology and identity, though at its heart is a simple, emotionally resonant tale of transformation.
Thrillingly utilizing filmmaking techniques from live-action, practical animatronics, classic animation and game engines, and anchored in enthralling performances by Stewart and Yeun, Love Me culminates in the longest-spanning love story ever told.