You & Me

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
You & Me
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that You & Me is a 2017 romcom/dramedy in which a deaf woman and a blind man meet and fall in love. Unlike many depictions of characters with disabilities, the two lead characters are fully-formed people who are competent and functioning adults, but are just as imperfect as anyone else. The couple often use humor when interacting with people who seem to only define them solely by their disability. Frequent use of profanity, including "f--k" used several times. One of the lead characters is shown having sex, filmed from the back, no nudity. Talk of sex between friends. Sexual innuendo. Characters drink, become drunk. Blind lead character talks of how he recently lost his vision due to a car accident after getting hit by a car occupied by teenagers who were drinking and texting.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In YOU & ME, Ella is a deaf writer who has recently moved to Los Angeles. One day while at a coffee shop, she's seated across from a blind man who gets up to leave and forgets his wallet on the table. Ella brings the wallet to the man, Tony, and the two seem to hit it off during their brief encounter. Soon, they run into each other again, this time at a health food store, and find they have a similar dry humor. But Tony, who recently lost his vision after a car accident, is depressed and emotionally scarred. The two remain friends as Ella takes part in literary readings and Tony begins playing musical shows with his best friend in a local bar. After Ella begins dating a handsome and well-known celebrity, she realizes that she's with the wrong guy. Could Tony be her future?
Is It Any Good?
While certainly rough around the edges, there's a charm and earnestness to this film that wins out in the end. There's also a dry humor throughout, and a self awareness of the conventions of the romcom that often delivers a fresh take on a stale genre, and not just because the man is blind and the woman is deaf. The dialogue and most of the acting goes far in avoiding the sappy and the sentimental. Furthermore, the two lead characters are fully formed, and are therefore so much more than their respective disabilities.
While clearly a heartfelt effort to tell a story centered on two characters with disabilities that doesn't resort to the stereotypes of other depictions, the movie has its faults. The major hinges in the plot points come across as rusty and abrupt. The passage of time doesn't feel right -- as if there are montages when there should be scenes and vice-versa. The comedy aspects of the "dramedy/romcom" often fail to land, and the audience in the bar watching Tony's musical project with his best friend is entirely too charitable to the often groan-worthy lyrics. Overall, these qualities tend to negate so much of what is positive about You & Me.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about characters with disabilities in movies and television shows. How has the portrayal of these characters evolved over the years?
How does You & Me show how these two characters can be defined in so many other ways besides their disabilities?
How does this compare to other romcoms you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 9, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: December 4, 2018
- Cast: Hillary Baack, Paul Guyet, Sally Struthers
- Director: Alexander Baack
- Studio: Freestyle Releasing
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 5, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love diverse perspectives
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate