marlo m

I haven't seen the play, but understand that this is a film adaptation of one. I have a feeling that if I were to see this as a play, I would feel far differently. But as a movie, this just didn't connect and in my opinion, didn't really work. There is a heavy use of plot devices, but not much of a plot. A lot happens over the course of just a couple of hours, and it's all tied together, but like the apartment itself, it's choppy, weird, and feels forced. And also like the apartment, it is kind of spooky, too. The setting seems to manifest and express itself through the people that interact with it. Clearly, there is trauma - in the people, and in the apartment. For both, there is history, exhaustion, dysfunction, and poor health. What once was, is no more. And toward the end, I did get sucked into it, but the first half-ish of this doesn't really do much set the stage for what's about to happen next. If you can get through it, I suppose it becomes worth it - especially if you are into this type of cimema verite. It is haunting, for sure. I do see how the apartment, itself, is a character in the movie. Darkness, sound, and the way that this is shot also play a part in almost making you feel as though you are there - but the family can't see you. You are eavesdropping on some deep, dark family trauma in a space where there is barely room for the evenings occupants themselves. It feels downright uncomfortable and as this progresses, you feel less and less like you should be there.