directed by William Atticus Parker
Today, I’d like to put a spotlight on the film that may not only entertain you or/and confuse a lot, but also let you look at the concept of grief from another perspective. Or perspectives, depending on how much you’ll be overthinking. The beginning already puts us in “look out, you may not fully get what’s happening” mood, but then we are introduced to the story of Steven (Leon Addison Brown), a man who has recently lost his son. He’s trying to move on with his life, but the horrible grief doesn’t make it easier. Soon we get the first plot twist, which is a spark of hope – Steven’s son might not be dead at all. Why? How? That’s for you to see, no spoilers as always. But here comes the most important place that will be the centre of most unusual events of this story – Steven goes to Atrabilious, a bar. Well, not just a bar – the bar where everyone struggling with some personal loss of theirs may find support. And the longer Steven stays there, the more he starts believing that his child might still be with us. If you expect me to tell you what genre this film is, I have to say: all of them. Obviously, we have some mystery to solve, but then, what happens in the bar is sometimes quite surrealistic. Add a pinch of dark humour and voilà – here’s your cinematographic drink called “Atrabilious”. I have to say that I got intrigued by the story from the moment Steven went into the bar for the first time and then my overthinking process began. I feel like I wrote hundreds of possible scenarios in my head and was just waiting for the final scenes to tell me which one was right. Fun fact – none of them. Or maybe not? You see, I can’t reveal how it all ends – that would be brutal – but I can guarantee the ending is for you to create. For sure, you may reflect a lot on the topic of grief and how one may deal with it. Is it even possible to move on? This film will not give you answers, but definitely throw even more questions at you, which later you need to analyse yourselves. I am indeed shocked that such a young director (who’s not even 20 years old!) has managed to tell a story that really burns your brain and is full of hidden elements to be put together by the viewers. This film is like a box of puzzle which, in the end, may show different pictures depending on who was doing it. And I like it! I also have to add that I noticed quite unusual camerawork in some moments (which is a plus) and good music (which is another plus). Also, here’s a cherry on top for older cinephiles – we may see Hunter Parrish and Will Parker playing together in one production, which to me, a fan of “Weeds” series, was a heart-warming experience. Anyway, make sure to remember “Atrabilious” and stop by for a cinematographic drink one day.
My rating: 7.5/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 