Movie Reviews: ‘The Drama’ – A Provocative Look at Secrets and Relationships
Kristoffer Borgli’s ‘The Drama’ isn’t your typical romantic comedy. This insouciantly offensive film, from the director of ‘Dream Scenario,’ throws a wrench into the idyllic world of a blossoming relationship with a confession that’s as shocking as it is unsettling. Prepare yourself – this review contains spoilers.
A Confession That Changes Everything
How much of your past should you reveal to your partner before saying ‘I do’? ‘The Drama’ tackles this tricky question head-on, presenting a scenario where a seemingly perfect romance is threatened by a dark secret. The film centers around Charlie (Robert Pattinson), a British art historian in the US, and Emma (Zendaya), a captivating woman he meets in a coffee shop. Their meet-cute is charmingly awkward, complicated by Emma’s partial deafness, but quickly blossoms into a love story.
From Rom-Com to Psychological Thriller
Borgli masterfully subverts rom-com tropes, injecting a sense of unease from the very beginning. The sound design is deliberately unsettling, with eerie ambient noises and dissonant music creating a palpable tension. As Charlie and Emma’s wedding day approaches, a drunken dinner with friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) leads to a game of revealing their worst deeds. And that’s when everything changes.
The Shocking Revelation
Emma reveals a chilling secret: as a 14-year-old, she planned a high school shooting. While she ultimately didn’t go through with it, the revelation sends shockwaves through the group. Borgli cleverly explains her reason for backing out – another shooting at a local mall overshadowed her plan, effectively stealing her “moment.” This darkly cynical twist is reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis’s work.
Satire or Thriller?
‘The Drama’ brilliantly blurs the lines between satire and thriller. Is it a commentary on American bourgeois aspirations, a critique of the obsession with shocking revelations, or a psychological exploration of hidden darkness? The film leaves you questioning its intent, forcing you to confront uncomfortable truths. The film also raises a pertinent point: how many individuals harbor similar secrets, leading seemingly normal lives?
A Flawed, Yet Provocative Film
While the film stumbles slightly in its exploration of the aftermath of Emma’s near-crime, and perhaps loses some nerve in its ending, it remains a compelling and thought-provoking work. ‘The Drama’ shares a similar spiky, ingenious style with Borgli’s previous film, ‘Dream Scenario,’ and surpasses his earlier work, ‘Sick of Myself.’
Ultimately, ‘The Drama’ delivers on its promise – it’s a provocation, a jeu d’ésprit of outrage, and a psychological meltdown that’s more astutely articulated than many more solemnly intended films. It’s a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
‘The Drama’ is out in Australia on April 2nd, and in the UK and US on April 3rd.
For further insights into the world of cinema, explore resources like RogerEbert.com and IndieWire.
