Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells star as Cole and Dom, a loving gay couple from Los Angeles who are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a trip to Italy. Hoping to finally adopt a child, the pair are eagerly awaiting news from an expectant mother in America.
Directors David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano poke fun at the perils of traveling abroad without knowledge of the local language or customs. But their movie “I Don’t Understand You” takes an unexpectedly grim turn. When well-meaning friends arrange an exclusive dinner at a remote countryside restaurant, Cole and Dom find themselves lost and in danger – with no one around who speaks their language.
As strange and disturbing events unfold over the course of one fateful night, it becomes unclear whether the pair are victims of evil intentions, or unleashing chaos of their own making in a panic. Kroll and Rannells shine in their roles, bringing both humor and pathos to the hapless tourists trying to find their way home.
Through the directors’ twisted lens, this starts as a romantic comedy about culture clashes but transforms into a dark exploration of human behavior under pressure. Their unstated question lingers – how to define sanity when normality itself has vanished without warning? “I Don’t Understand You” surprises with its sinister spins, proving black comedy knows no bounds when testing one’s will to protect their family.
Adopting Dreams in Italy
Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells bring Cole and Dom to vibrant life. Their relationship, built over a decade, shows in every shared glance and playful jab. Childhood sweethearts finally settled, they now long to start a family of their own.
Three years Cole and Dom have tried, only to face heartbreak. Before, an adoption fell through leaving scars. Still, hope remains with a new possibility calling from overseas. Amanda Seyfried’s role is brief but impactful, her character offering what they desire most. Now celebrating their love in Italy, joy resides in postponing plans for this.
Playing so well off one another, Kroll and Rannells inject humor into every scenario. From bickering over travel snafus to debating Italian vs bed separation, their bond comes through it all. Distress also emerges in longing for parenthood proven no easy feat. Throughout, the directors imbue understanding of all relationships hold.
Much like Cole and Dom, directors Crano and Craig understand the joys and difficulties of commitment. Married men themselves, they relate to the little moments comprising big love. Whether annoyance or affection shown, their characters reflect a partnership run deep. Authenticity lent lends authenticity to hopes, doubts and everything in between.
Effortlessly do Kroll and Rannells make Cole and Dom’s dreams our own. From start, their desire to start a family amid life’s curves becomes our guiding light into a countryside of many surprises.
The Perfect Getaway
It was meant to be the perfect getaway for Cole and Dom. As their 10th anniversary in Italy began, the couple spent days immersed in the sites and sounds of Rome. Holding hands along the narrow streets, they laughed together glancing at maps, got distracted sharing kisses in the shadows of ancient ruins. At night over glasses of wine, their eyes spoke of memories made and more to come.
This trip was a chance to reconnect before the next exciting chapter—parenthood. After many struggles to adopt, they recently submitted a video to an expecting mother, Candice, and were cautiously hopeful. But for now, Italy and each other was all that mattered.
Yet even as they lost themselves in postcard wonders, hints of troubles ahead slipped in. During their journey to Rome, a strange something seeped from overhead luggage onto Cole. Neither panicked, but exchanged a quizzical look. Was it a sign of things not quite right?
Deeper into their getaway, plans shifted without request. Dom’s friend insisted they cancel their long-awaited country meal for one at an exclusive new venue. While flattered by the effort, hesitation lingered—a familiar sense that control was slipping away.
As the couple drove down an unknown road under darkening skies, their confusion grew. Water rose around the tires, and discomfort set in. How far from the path they’d chosen had they strayed? And would they find their way back before everything unravelled? What sinister forces seemed bent on disturbing their perfect picture of peace?
Things Take an Unexpected Twist
Excited for their anniversary dinner at a legendary local spot, Cole and Dom set off towards the countryside restaurant. But with poor directions and no real Italian language skills between them, it doesn’t take long for things to go awry. Cole misreads a sign and suddenly they’re veering down an unmarked dirt road as rain begins to pour. Unsurprisingly, the rental car gets stuck fast in the mud.
Tensions are mounting between the bickering couple as they call for assistance. When a gruff local farmer finally arrives, Cole and Dom can barely understand his attempts to help. A language barrier that had so far only caused minor annoyances is transforming into a full-blown source of stress. By the time they’re deposited at the restaurant, nerves are frayed.
The rustic-chic farmhouse they find is like something out of a dream, with cheery scents wafting from the kitchen. But the welcoming vibe does little to soothe Dom and Cole’s frazzled state. Their erratic behavior leads the staff, headed by the charismatic Zia Luciana, to rightly perceive them as strange guests.
As the evening progresses, a series of escalating misunderstandings spirals further out of control. Cultural norms and signals are lost in translation, fueling paranoid delusions. What began as dark comedy takes an unforeseen turn as something more sinister seems afoot. With no ability to decipher the situation, alarm grows on Dom and Cole’s faces that their long-planned night may have unexpected tragic consequences.
Events rapidly snowball towards an unpredictably absurd climax. But through it all, the love and bond between these would-be parents remains a comedic beacon of light in the looming shadows. How they’ll make it out of this alive, let alone with the family of their dreams, is anyone’s guess. But with commitment like theirs, is anything truly impossible?
Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells Steal the Show
These two comedic actors are perfectly matched to bring the characters of Dom and Cole to life. From their first scenes together taping an adoption video, an easy chemistry flows between them. You truly believe these men have been together for a decade, with the familiar intimacy shown in gentle touches and inside jokes shared with eye contact alone.
But their relationship is tested on the ill-fated Italy trip. As one bizarre and frightening event piles on after another, Dom and Cole are pushed to their limits. Through it all, Kroll and Rannells keep their reactions grounded, even when the situations spiral into absurdity. Their scared bewilderment and frantic debates feel genuine, reminding us that underneath the humor, this couple simply wants to be fathers.
Comedy often stems from language barriers in many cross-cultural misunderstanding plots. Here, the language is merely a catalyst – these actors elicit laughs with superb comedic timing and an array of exaggerated facial expressions. But physical gags are also deployed skillfully, from awkwardly navigating a cramped car to manic sprinting through the Italian countryside.
One-liners lace the dialog and provide welcome laughs during tense moments. You can see the two playfully improvising, finding new ways to extend a joke even in dire straits. Their snappy delivery makes the rapid fire insults and accusations feel more like competitive loving banter between partners.
Through top-notch performances, Kroll and Rannells cement Dom and Cole as a couple you root for, even when their actions spiral into questionable territory. Their natural synergy and commitment to these roles are what eventually lead the audience to understand.
Language and Culture Clashes
It’s funny the way things can get lost in translation when you don’t speak the local language. Cole and Dom are on vacation in Italy to celebrate their anniversary, hoping that soon they’ll become parents. But neither knows more than a few words of Italian.
This of course leads to some very amusing scenarios as the pair tries to communicate with locals. Early encounters, like a hotel clerk awkwardly separating their beds or a farmer glancing at them strange, make them think everyone must be against “the gays.” In reality, these Italians likely meant no offense – it’s just hard interacting when you can’t properly chat.
Directors Brian Crano and David Craig cleverly use subtitles so we viewers understand what’s truly being said. This adds an extra layer of humor since we’re in on the joke Cole and Dom are missing. We see how their wild imaginations run when they can only catch bits of conversations. It both pokes fun at their paranoia while also reflecting a real experience for travelers in a new place.
Their limited Italian skills are amplified for comedic effect throughout the increasingly bizarre night. From questionable menu items to strange requests during a power outage, it’s a recipe for misunderstanding. Even when things turn truly terrifying later on, the language barrier prevents Cole and Dom from comprehending dangers that are perfectly clear to us watching with subtitles.
While their misadventures are played for laughs, the film also exposes real discomforts of being outsiders. The familiar feeling of culture shock even in happy moments, like trying local cuisine, adds relatability beneath the absurd situations. By the end, Cole and Dom are reminded how far some must go to start a family, no matter the language.
The Trials of Family
Dom and Cole’s anniversary trip to Italy takes an unexpected turn when misunderstandings spiral into dangerous situations. As events unfold, they’re pushed to their limits. But through it all, their desire to become fathers drives them forward against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Beneath the surface antics, I Don’t Understand You explores deeper themes surrounding parenthood and family building. Many pursuing adoption face heartbreak from a process plagued by uncertainties. Dom and Cole experienced this tragedy firsthand, leaving lasting scars. Yet their hope perseveres through adversity, love strengthening their bond against prejudice both past and present.
Their anxieties are portrayed with empathy. Fears feel all too real for those marginalized by homophobia. Miscommunications in Italy trigger panic as perceived threats multiply. Closer inspection reveals most to result from simple errors in translation rather than true malice however. Though extremes, these mishaps symbolize challenges families encounter when differences arise cross-culturally.
Directors Craig and Crano imbue the story with emotional authenticity, lending poignancy to its absurdity. Their own experiences nourishing prospective parenthood shine through. Imperfect yet deeply devoted to their vision of parenthood, Dom and Cole mirror families who persevere against societal pressures to form unconventional bonds of their own making.
While humor prevails, this odyssey affirms love’s resilience and families’ diverse forms. Whether biological or chosen, relationships requiring acceptance of one another – and oneself – with compassion are celebrated. I Don’t Understand You delivers not just laughs but thoughtful reflection on what really defines family and home and how far we’ll go to find belonging.
I Don’t Understand You Surprises With Heart
This film starts like any other charming romantic comedy about a loving couple. Cole and Dom are quirky but caring, eagerly preparing to welcome a child into their lives together. Their playful bond gives no hint of the wild ride in store.
But from the moment an unexpected red drop lands on the plane, things careen down intriguing paths. Cole and Dom’s trip to Italy brings mounting misunderstandings as language barriers rise. What begins as an ordinary vacation spirals into surreal sinister moments leaving them fearing for their future as a family.
Despite the grim developments, Craig and Crano never lose sight of the heart at the core. Rannells and Kroll imbue their roles with genuine affection that sees them through any turmoil. Even in chaos, their commitment to each other and becoming parents shines through.
Darkly hilarious encounters could have soured, yet the directors found poignant humanity. They prove families come in all forms and desires, no matter the challenges along the way. I Don’t Understand You may surprise but never feels a cheap thrill. It engagingly shows how love and hope can overcome all else.
Audiences will find a one of a kind moviegoing experience in this twisted tale. It draws viewers with wit, sprinkles in surprises and leaves them seeing the lighter sides of life’s twists and turns. For those seeking a fresh storytelling perspective on pressing themes, I Don’t Understand You should not be missed.
The Review
I Don't Understand You
Despite pushing boundaries in unforeseen genres and giving its characters challenges beyond belief, I Don't Understand You ultimately proves a triumph. With creative flair and heartwarming sincerity, it finds the humanity in any situation. Craig and Crano offer an unconventional narrative but one full of spirit. Their film may startle and provoke, yet always entertains with authentic caring at its center.
PROS
- Unique storyline that subverts expectations
- Heartfelt portrayal of a loving gay couple
- Clever dialogue and humor
- Engaging performances from Kroll and Rannells
- Poignant exploration of desires for family and challenges that come with it
CONS
- Plot twists don't always feel fully plausible
- Tone shifts could cause whiplash at times
- Premise relies heavily on cultural misunderstandings
- May not land with audiences seeking solely laughs or scares
