Movie Review: 'Fingernails'

Fingernails (2023)

Directed by Christos Nikou

Written by Christos Nikou, Sam Steiner, Stavros Raptis

Starring Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White

Release Date November 3rd on Apple TV

Published November 2nd, 2023

If you could scientifically prove that you and your significant other were in love, would you want that? What does it say about you and your relationship that you would like or need scientific proof of your love for someone? Trust is the most important foundation of a loving, romantic partnership. If you don't trust your partner enough when they tell you that they love you and you need scientific, undisputed proof, that, for me, should be enough to prove that you are not actually in love. The new movie, Fingernails, lingers over this conflict by creating a universe in which love can be scientifically proven to exist between two people and how that effects the lives and loves of three disparate souls.

Anna (Jessie Buckley) is in a loving, long term, relationship with Ryan (Jeremy Allen White). The two live together and have lived together long enough to have fallen into a comfortable rut, a routine that appears to serve their needs. However, Anna has started to long for something that she can't quite bring herself to admit. In one telling scene early in the film, she mentions how she always gives a certain piece of her food to Ryan. It's his favorite part but it's also a part that she really likes. But, in an effort to make him happy, she sacrifices what she wants for him.

It might seem like a little thing but how much of yourself, your wants, your desires, you're willing to give up and feel resentment about are incredibly telling. It's one thing to sacrifice for the sake of your partner, but when does that sacrifice become too one-sided and who determines who should give up more of themselves for the other? When is enough, enough? It might just be a bite of food but the deeper meaning attached to it points the way to larger questions that will come to loom over the story of Fingernails.

The story of Fingernails kicks into gear with a lie, another bit of damage to the foundation of Anna's relationship with Ryan. Instead of seeking a position as a teacher, the recently unemployed Anna has decided to pursue a career with a company that provides scientific testing of true love. It's similar to the place where Anna and Ryan went and got tested years earlier but even more intensive. At this clinic, run with gentle authority by Luke Wilson's Duncan, this clinic tests for true love but only after each couple seeking a test goes through an intensive relationship course that the company believes can set the couple to be in love by the time they take the test or drive them apart.

As Anna lies to Ryan about her job, she also starts bringing a little of her job home at night. Anna begins to test Ryan a little without openly stating that that is what she's doing. She seems to want to know if they are still in love but she doesn't have the heart to ask for a new test. What is driving this questioning? At work, Anna has begun working closely with Amir (Riz Ahmed), and the two have a demonstrable chemistry. They share interests, they have an easygoing rapport, and the attraction between them is palpable. But, both are in relationships that science tells us are loving relationships, true, scientifically proven, love.

Fingernails is a sweet and gentle movie that pokes and prods the idea of a romantic comedy. Director Christos Nikou has a lovely and patient approach to directing Fingernails that works to underline the chemistry of Anna and Amir while never stacking the deck one way or the other as to where this romance may be headed. The organic development of Anna and Amir's attraction and Anna's growing disillusionment with Ryan, work as a terrific counterpoint to the supposedly hard science of true love in this near future universe.

Trigger warning: The test for true love in Fingernails may be difficult for some audiences. The test involves ripping off a fingernail using pliers. The film contains multiple scenes of people wincing and gasping in pain as a fingernail is torn off and then tested for true love. I found these scenes hard to watch but I liked the movie more than enough to keep watching. That said, if you are squeamish about this kind of physical presentation, you should be fairly warned by this.

I highly recommend Fingernails, despite the love test, and because it is a thoughtful, lovely and thorough examination of what it takes to be in love. Science be damned, love is a feeling, it's magic and it is unquantifiable. I don't need a test to know I am in love. For me, it's never been a question. If you need a scientific test for true love then you are not really in love. You lack trust and trust is the most important aspect of a long term loving relationship. Would it help the deeply anxious begin to trust people? Perhaps, but if you can't trust your partner when they say that they love you, haven't you answered your question? Your anxiety is likely the feeling that you are just not in a good relationship.

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