Watch Permission
- 2018
- 1 hr 36 min
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5.4 (5,047)
Permission is a romantic film set around the lives of a couple navigating the tricky territories of love, lust, and relationships. Rebecca Hall stars as Anna, an aspiring writer who has been in a long-term relationship with Will, played by Dan Stevens. The movie follows the couple as they explore their feelings, and decide whether or not they should get married.
As the movie begins, Anna and Will have been together for a decade, but still haven't taken the leap to get married. Anna is unsure of whether or not she wants to get married, while Will is eager to tie the knot. After Anna's younger brother gets engaged to his girlfriend, the topic of marriage comes to the forefront of their relationship, causing the couple to have a deep discussion about their future.
As the couple grapples with the concept of marriage, they also start to explore the idea of having an open relationship. Anna and Will propose the idea to each other, and they both give each other permission to sleep with other people temporarily. With this newfound freedom, Anna and Will explore their sexual desires and relationships, all while trying to stay true to their love for each other.
What starts out as just a fling, however, starts to evolve into something more challenging. Will's affair with a musician becomes serious and starts to cause tension in his relationship with Anna. At the same time, Anna starts a relationship with a bookstore owner named Dane, played by Francois Arnaud. As their open relationship starts to become more complicated, Anna is faced with the decision to either stay with Will, or leave him for Dane.
Despite the twist and turns in their open relationship, the movie is ultimately a story about love and its various forms. Along the way, Anna and Will explore the notion of monogamy and what it means to truly love someone. The movie forces the viewer to question the norms of relationships, and to consider the idea that each love story is unique.
Rebecca Hall delivers a strong performance as a conflicted Anna, grappling with the complexities of her relationship with Will. Dan Stevens brings depth to his character, showing Will's vulnerability both in his moments of strength and moments of weakness. Meanwhile, Gina Gershon and Morgan Spector, who play Anna's parents, bring an additional layer of relatability to the film, as they offer insights into the challenges of any long-term relationship.
Director Brian Crano manages to balance the complicated topic of relationships with humor, sensitivity, and depth. The movie is both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving room for the audience to contemplate the various aspects of love and relationships.
Overall, Permission offers viewers a fresh take on the traditional love story by exploring the complexities of human relationships. This movie is well-acted, well-directed, and makes for a thought-provoking watch. While the ending may not be what viewers expect, it is a satisfying conclusion to a film that challenges societal norms and offers a nuanced perspective on modern love.
Permission is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 62.