directed by James Gray
Today I’d like to recommend you a very basic love story, which won’t surprise you at all. Unless you’ve never seen any romantic film. However, it’s made so well that there’s no way I’m leaving it without a post. Leonard (Joaquin Phoenix) is a man who struggles with depression. He was once left by his fiancée and still cannot deal with it. The film starts with him attempting another, luckily unsuccessful suicide. His parents are worried about him and try to find a woman for their son. They arrange a business meeting and ask Leonard to come with them. During the meeting, he gets to know Sandra (Vinessa Shaw), who is a considerate, sensible and beautiful lady. Perfect wife material. Perhaps it would be easier for those two to get closer unless there wasn’t an attractive Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow) living next to Leonard. She’s just moved in and already caught the attention of the man. Soon it is known that the woman has a drug usage problem and she’s also dating Ronald (Elias Koteas), who’s already married. Seems complicated, but it’s actually a classic love story. Sandra likes Leonard, he likes her back, but not as much as he likes Michelle, but Michelle loved Ronald, who is taken, so all they can be doing is having one night stands. On one hand, it’s about our human need of searching for a partner that is unavailable for us. We all like chasing, so when we meet someone who likes us back, we tend to reject them and try with the one that ignores us. And since we’re all “running after that rabbit,” we may never feel satisfied. On the other hand, the main character struggles with depression and it is presented in an unusual way, but quite realistic one. He indeed goes out and socialises, but then he gets back home and doesn’t even feel like leaving his own bed. Joaquin Phoenix is marvellous in this role. Another thing I appreciate highly is the camerawork (especially the scene on the roof, brilliant). The story is simple, but it’s done well and it gives food for thought.
My rating: 6.5/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 