6 Years

6 Years is a poignant and intimate drama from 2015 that traces six years in the life of a young couple who are attempting to navigate the complicated and demanding transition from adolescence to adulthood. Directed by Hannah Fidell and produced by noted independent filmmaker Mark Duplass, the film is an earnest exploration of the dynamics of young love. The film features strong lead performances from Taissa Farmiga and Ben Rosenfield, both of whom bring a persuasive emotional depth to their roles.

The film tells the story of Mel Clark (Farmiga) and Dan Mercer (Rosenfield), two college students in a dedicated and passionate long-term relationship. They've been a couple for six years - essentially, all their adult lives. Mel is a social worker intern at a rehab center, while Dan is an aspiring brewer with a promising internship at a local craft brewery. They're certain they're destined to grow old together until life gets in the way, and their closely intertwined lives start led onto divergent paths.

What sets "6 Years" apart from other films about young love is its intense focus on the central relationship, with little distraction from subplots. The spotlight remains firmly on Mel and Dan, capturing their shared moments of tenderness, their occasional bouts of jealousy or irritation, and, most critically, their shared experience of facing a future that may or may not include them as a couple.

Taissa Farmiga, known for her performances in "American Horror Story" and "The Bling Ring," gives a raw and authentic portrayal of Mel, a woman secure in her love for Dan but less assured about where they fit into each other's futures. As Mel, Farmiga is both fiercely independent and deeply devoted, a complex characterization that feels genuine and emotionally heavy. Rosenfield, known from his performances in "Boardwalk Empire" and "Affluenza," matches Farmiga's intensity as Dan, playing a young man who is equally in love but also hungry for new experiences, opportunities, and independence, setting the stage for conflict and heartbreak.

Equally important to the film is the sensitive direction by Hannah Fidell, who tells the story with both straightforwardness and lyricism. Fidell doesn't shy away from the rawness of young love, instead, she highlights the painfully real moments between her characters. The film taps into key themes such as emotional growth, the kind that comes from firsts and lasts in relationships, and the agonizing struggle to reconcile one's personal ambitions with one's deep sense of loyalty and love for another.

Such a detailed character exploration is complemented by the cinema verité shooting style. The handheld cinematography by Andrew Droz Palermo gives the film an almost documentary-quality intimacy, which amplifies the emotional rawness of the character’s trials and tribulations, while propelling the engrossing narrative structure. Naturalistic sound design and an understated score support the film's honest and earthy aesthetic. The film's minimalistic and indie style of filmmaking is very effective in showcasing the intimate and profound moments in the couple's life.

The film is also unflinchingly honest about the often painful realities of growing up, depicting both joy-filled highs and depth-plumbing lows that young adults face. The oscillating romance, passion, fights, and ambiguity form the crux of this traditional love story told with an edgy twist. As the movie valiantly explores the dynamics of love, heartbreak, growing up, and self-realization, it is this rollercoaster ride that will make the viewer thoroughly invested in the ambiguous journey of Mel and Dan.

In conclusion, 6 Years is a thoughtful, well-observed film that centers around a universal coming-of-age narrative of the trial and tribulations of navigating young adulthood. Powered by standout performances from Farmiga and Rosenfield, and helmed with a delicate touch by Fidell, the film provides a tender look into the raw, messy, yet deeply human aspects of love and relationships. It's a film for anyone who remembers what it feels like to stand at the precipice of adulthood and face the beautiful, terrifying future that lies beyond.