John and Noel, and Joanne and Robert, are SF Bay Area couples living with AIDS. John and Robert are both HIV-positive; Noel and Joanne aren't, but they continue to have sexual relations with their partners (with broken condoms and bi-annual blood tests being major stress producers). The point of director F. Leo Chiang's One + One is not to highlight potentially catastrophic sexual behavior, however, but to depict the trials and tribulations of two couples living with AIDS, in what is referred to as "sero-discordant" or "mixed HIV-status" relationships. Ultimately, the film suggests there is reason for guarded optimism in contemplating the AIDS situation. Indeed, John and Robert offer a somewhat different portrait of HIV-positive persons than the doomed victims we're used to seeing in AIDS-related documentaries. New drug intervention therapies have made significant inroads in the battle against AIDS--John's experiences offer a ray of hope to others in similar situations, while Robert has yet to exhibit any AIDS-related symptoms. An encouraging presentation of two couples getting on with their lives in the face of a disease that, not so long ago, was a death sentence, this is recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (P. Van Vleck)
One + One
(2001) 27 min. $95: high schools & public libraries; $250: colleges & universities. New Day Films. PPR. Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 3
One + One
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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