Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Between Us (2016)


What is it about? 

A couple in their sixth year of being together, deals with the pressures of not being married, what they each desire, and the conflict of love, as they realize who they love may not align with what they want out of life.

Who is in it? 

Olivia Thirlby - Dianne

Ben Feldman - Henry

Favorite Scene: 

After pressure from friends, the two just lay at home on their couch shooting down the societal pressures, before both just dancing and singing in a wacky way - something that was just them.

Favorite Quote: 

"You wanna be beautiful, but respected as a woman. And then you... you wanna be sexy and skinny but smart and desired and rich and eventually a mother and it's... maybe you just want too much."

Review: 

Between Us is a very, very interesting and authentic film in pulling out emotion anyone in a relationship has had, or has. The film, though not complex in any way, dives right into the issue of how we each have dreams and desires, and how love can complicate or compromise those feelings.

The characters aren't exactly likable, which in some aspects make it the film that much better in a weird way. They each have their flaws, and are selfish, but ultimately, the film does a good job in showing how what they have together in various ways, is much better than the outward worldly potential they each have.

Between Us is a film not everyone will understand or appreciate, but if you've ever felt this way - even just slightly - it's a film that you buy into.

Grade: 2.75/5


Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

The Pondering 10 - Most Fascinating Things of 2025

2025 sure did ebb and flow.  Is it just me, or did August through December zoom by? Nonetheless, we are at that time of the year again, which brings about some common traditions around these parts - the Pondering 10 Most Fascinating Things of the Year, and then the Dome Pondering Year in Review .  (Most Fascinating Things: 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 ,  2022 , 2023 , & 2024 ) Life really presented itself in unique ways this year, with a sense of a deeper layer of belonging and purpose, more so than what society has reflected since the pandemic. 2025 brought a deeper understanding of life through war, disaster, politics, the human spirit, and appreciation, among other things.  We'll get into that in the Year in Review.  For now, let's run it! Here is my Most Fascinating Things list for 2025: --- 10. Marjorie Taylor Greene Oh yeah, we're going there. MJT makes the very end of the list with a recent change in political positioning. I find it ...

Dome Pondering - 2025 Year in Review

2025 brought depth and growth.  In many ways, 2025 provided so many challenges and opportunities, allowing for a deeper, more layered approach to the world we live in. Our world is changing, and often, not for the better. Over the last 365 days, life has been more complex, more exhausting, and is asking so much more of us through these transitions and nuances than it did 365 days ago.  No big deal, right?  But hey, you're here. We're here. And we're going into 2026 much stronger, whether we realize it or not. But before we do, let's bid adieu to 2025.  As always, I'm incredibly gratefu l to those of you who still visit this little speck of the internet that houses my thoughts, rambles, and learnings. Thank you for taking a break from instant dopamine hits and videos, and likely the much cooler options of prepared content and indulging my humbled words. It is much appreciated.  It's the 20th annual - TWENTY YEARS of doing this! - Dome Pondering Year in Review. Le...