Miranda July’s 2005 brainchild, Me and You and Everyone Know, has been one of my most favorite films ever for the past five years, possibly earning a spot within my all-time top three.  July stars as Christine Jesperson, a semi-strange, but creative and abstract artist who is looking for more fulfilling companionship than she receives during her “Eldercab” service for mobility-challenged nursing home residents.  She senses potential in Richard Swersey (John Hawkes),  a young, recently divorced father and department store shoe salesman.  Christine awkwardly pursues a relationship with him, but her emotions become densely intertwined with his freshly chaotic life.

Richard’s oldest son Peter (Miles Thompson) struggles with the intensity of adolescence, as his youngest (and beyond adorable) son Robby (Brandon Ratcliff) becomes tangled in a wildly inappropriate Internet relationship (with hilarious results).  A slew of entertaining events occur, but there are too many to name, all featuring impeccably developed supporting characters.  Each tiny portion of the plot comes together perfectly.

I love this film because it covers everything – from simple, uncomfortable love to the debatable definition of art to curious sexual desires to the dangers of chatting online to interracial marriage and families to the complications of coming of age – all without overanalyzing each major issue or providing a real conclusion.  All events and ideas, like in real life, are left open to personal interpretation.

Yet the film succeeds.  Miranda July is a unique contemporary artist who will hopefully find a permanent place among renowned creative filmmakers.

Me and You and Everyone You Know will stimulate your common thought process, create a palette of emotions, and most of all, make you smile…

))<>((
forever.

(To understand the preceding mystery symbol: watch, learn, and laugh).