As we discussed briefly in class, Miranda July's film Me and You and Everyone We Know can be construed to be about several different things. We discussed a wide range of ideas including relationships and the importance of communication, as well as Miranda July's commentary on modern art. All of the these ideas are relevant to the context of the film. However, I feel that the more poignant themes in this film are ideas about relationships and communication as well as the ideas of simply "passing the time."

The relationships among the characters in Me and You and Everyone We Know are quirky to say the least. Like often in real life, the characters in this film are just looking for a companion to connect with because a successful relationship can bring happiness in life. But Miranda July's commentary on communication complicates this fact. The relationships in this film, like between Heather and Rebecca and the coworker, and Robbie and Nancy, are intimate but only when they are behind a barrier. The coworker describes what he would do to Heather and Rebecca sexually, but only by writing on pieces of paper and hanging them in his window. Robbie gains Nancy's trust and their relationship blossoms, however, only through instant messages online. Everyone in this film is looking for someone to connect with or "know," but like in most cases, is afraid to reveal their true, intimate self. As for the theme of "passing the time," I felt like Miranda July was commenting on how we spend our time during and in between relationships. This is highlighted in the final scene of the film, when Robbie wakes up to discover the sound that he's heard every morning. He wanders to a bus stop to find a man tapping a quarter on a metal signpost and when Robbie asks him what he's doing, the man simply replies he is "just passing the time." The sunlight illuminates Robbie's face as if he has gained some great knowledge and Miranda July summarizes her themes through this character in this moment: that as humans struggle to connect and know one another, in the meantime, we simply just pass the time.