Together Together 2021
Directed by
Nikole Beckwith
Made by
Bleecker Street Media
Plot Summary
Matt, a forty-something app developer, embarks on an unconventional journey as he interviews Anna, a young coffee shop employee, to be his surrogate. His ambition to embrace fatherhood without the ties of marriage aligns with Anna’s desire to fund her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
With the first trimester underway, a doctor informs Matt and Anna that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly, prompting Matt to invite Anna to dinner for a celebratory meal. However, news of the pregnancy does not sit well with his mother, showcasing familial tension.
During their dinner, Matt and Anna share a candid moment, revealing their mutual nervousness. As they order, Matt sarcastically reacts when Anna chooses potato over salad, playfully expressing concern for the baby’s diet, only for Anna to retort that he too must mind what he eats for the next 18 years. They engage in light-hearted banter about their respective food choices.
In a therapy session, an enthusiastic Matt expresses his eagerness to share the news with everyone, while Anna remains reticent. This leads to a charming scene where he offers her a candy, reminiscent of his past experiences with his ex during couple’s therapy.
At the coffee shop, Matt surprises Anna with pregnancy tea, though she declines the clogs he brought for her. A chance encounter with a guy from Anna’s past leaves Matt unsettled, concerned about the implications for the baby. In a candid moment at the hospital, Anna asserts her independence, insisting that her romantic life cannot be dictated by Matt. They joyfully hear the baby’s heartbeat, reinforcing their bond.
As they progress into the second trimester, Anna shares her need for financial support to shorten her degree timeline. This leads to a touching moment where they connect over nursery preparations and the significance of their individual journeys. They bond over selecting a gender-neutral name, “Lamp,” for the baby, and navigate a series of awkward family encounters where Anna is reluctant to share her pregnancy.
Matt’s invitation for Anna to move in until the birth reflects his desire to build a connection, yet Anna’s rejection of the label “couple” at a crib store unsettles him. Her realization during the baby shower about her growing attachment to both the baby and Matt ignites a conflict within her, leading to a withdrawal as she stresses the importance of maintaining boundaries.
During the third trimester, Anna experiences the typical anxieties of impending motherhood. Despite the challenges, she communicates her platonic love for Matt and her aspirations for college in Vermont. In a show of tenderness, they find themselves sharing moments of physical closeness at the park, culminating in a rush to the hospital as Anna’s contractions begin.
The film reaches its emotional climax when Anna delivers baby Lamp, leaving Matt to offer comfort to the newborn while the camera lingers on Anna, capturing the raw essence of their shared experience and bond.
Timeline
Matt Interviews Anna
Matt, a forty-something app developer, begins an unconventional journey by interviewing Anna, a young coffee shop employee, to become his surrogate. It marks the beginning of their unique partnership as they attempt to navigate the complexities of surrogacy.
Pregnancy Progresses
During the first trimester, a doctor informs both Matt and Anna that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly. This news prompts Matt to invite Anna to dinner, celebrating this new chapter of their lives.
Familial Tensions Arise
After the positive news about the pregnancy, Matt's mother expresses her discontent with the situation, showcasing familial tensions. This highlights the personal struggles he faces as he embarks on this journey to fatherhood without traditional structures.
Dinner and Banter
During their celebratory dinner, Matt and Anna share a candid moment while navigating their nervousness about the pregnancy. Their playful banter about food choices underscores the growing relationship between them amidst their anxieties.
Therapy Session
In a therapy session, an enthusiastic Matt expresses his excitement to share the news of the pregnancy, contrasting Anna’s hesitant demeanor. This moment reflects the differing perspectives and expectations they have regarding their arrangement.
Pregnancy Tea Surprise
At the coffee shop, Matt surprises Anna with pregnancy tea to show his support, although she declines the clogs he brought for her. The encounter leaves Matt feeling unsettled after meeting someone from Anna's past, highlighting insecurities.
Bonding at the Hospital
When they are at the hospital, Anna asserts her independence, stating that her romantic life is not dictated by Matt. They share a joyful moment hearing the baby's heartbeat, which strengthens their bond amidst their individual journeys.
Financial Needs and Nursery Preparations
As they transition into the second trimester, Anna expresses her financial needs to expedite her education. This discussion leads to them bonding over nursery preparations and selecting a name for the baby, signifying their growing connection.
Awkward Family Encounters
Their journey is interrupted by awkward family encounters, with Anna feeling hesitant about sharing her pregnancy news. This reflects her struggles with the boundaries of their relationship and the expectations of those around them.
Invitation to Move In
Matt's invitation for Anna to move in until the birth signifies his desire to deepen their connection. However, Anna's rejection of labeling them as a couple leaves Matt feeling unsettled about their evolving relationship.
Anna's Baby Shower Realization
During her baby shower, Anna realizes her emotional attachment to both the baby and Matt, igniting an internal conflict. This realization leads her to withdraw, stressing the importance of maintaining personal boundaries.
Third Trimester Anxieties
As Anna enters the third trimester, she experiences the typical anxieties of impending motherhood. Despite the challenges, she communicates her platonic love for Matt, emphasizing their deepening connection.
Tender Moments at the Park
Anna and Matt share tender moments of physical closeness at the park, illustrating their complex relationship. These moments culminate in a rush to the hospital as Anna begins to experience contractions.
Delivery of Baby Lamp
The film reaches its emotional climax when Anna delivers baby Lamp, encapsulating their journey together. In this moment, Matt offers comfort to the newborn while the camera captures Anna's raw experience of motherhood.
Characters
Matt
Matt is a forty-something app developer seeking to become a father through surrogacy. His upbeat personality contrasts with the challenges he faces, showcasing a mix of eagerness and vulnerability. Matt is emotionally invested in the process, leading him to navigate complex family dynamics and his burgeoning relationship with Anna.
Anna
Anna is a young coffee shop employee with aspirations for higher education. She is independent and cautious as she embarks on her surrogacy journey, often finding herself torn between her personal goals and her growing attachment to Matt. Her character showcases resilience and depth in dealing with the complexities of impending motherhood.
Setting
Time period
Modern Day
The film takes place in contemporary society, exploring modern relationships and non-traditional family structures. It reflects current societal attitudes towards surrogacy, education, and personal growth, presenting a narrative that resonates with today's audience.
Location
Coffee Shop, Hospital, Park
The coffee shop serves as a backdrop for Matt and Anna's evolving relationship, where they meet and share significant moments. The hospital is a pivotal location, marking the transition into parenthood with the delivery of baby Lamp. The park symbolizes a space of emotional connection and tenderness as they navigate their unique bond.
Themes
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Parenthood
The theme of parenthood is central to the narrative, depicting the journey of expectant parents navigating their unconventional situation. It explores the emotional complexities of becoming a parent without traditional boundaries, highlighting love, responsibility, and connection.
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Independence
Independence plays a crucial role in Anna's character, as she strives to maintain her autonomy while embracing motherhood. This theme underscores the importance of personal aspirations amidst the shared journey, demonstrating her need to balance her desires with her responsibilities.
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Education
Education is a vital theme represented through Anna's pursuit of her degrees, which intersects with her desire for financial support. It illustrates the challenges young adults face in achieving their goals while navigating life-altering decisions.
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