XX/XY is a 2002 American romantic drama film written and directed by Austin Chick and starring Mark Ruffalo, Kathleen Robertson, and Maya Stange. The title refers to the different chromosome pairings present in males and females. XX/XY premiered in competition at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. Although the funding for the film came from the US, the film was produced by British company Natural Nylon.
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Plot
In 1992, college students Sam and Thea meet artist Coles at a party, and their mutual attraction leads to a passionate and awkward night together. They form an unstable friendship, and continue to push their sexual boundaries. Soon, their friendships are tested by Sam and Coles' romance and Thea's increasingly reckless behavior. Inevitably, their relationships dissolve due to fear, resentment and mistrust on all sides.
Ten years later, they reunite. Coles, now a failed filmmaker who works at a high-profile ad agency, lives with Claire, his girlfriend of five years. Thea, the former wild-child, is happily married to Miles, with whom she shares ownership of a very successful and flourishing restaurant. Sam has returned to Manhattan from London after breaking off her engagement. Upon reconnecting, the three are drawn back into their old and complicated dynamic. They are soon forced to confront the true meaning of commitment and love, something they avoided as young adults.
Reception
XX/XY holds a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 64 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The site’s critics consensus reads, "The characters are both unsympathetic and uninteresting."
