by Andy Motz
Keep the Lights On
The biggest disappointment I’ve seen thus far at Sundance, Keep the Lights On, is an underdeveloped, drawn-out, poorly-acted film with way too many missed opportunities. The film, written and directed by Ira Sachs, tells the story of two men (Erik and Paul), and their turbulent nine-year relationship. Nine years full of affairs, drug addiction, and the inability to face their own personal problems. Yet none of these issues are fully, honestly, or even realistically explored — in part due to a screenplay that feels like a first draft, and also due to the surprisingly terrible acting from the entire cast. This is especially problematic when it comes to the character of Erik. He is the center of the screenplay. The audience sees the story through his eyes. The camera focuses on Erik’s reactions to express the turmoil and tragedy of it all. Therefore Erik’s flat performance (courtesy of Thurn Lindhart) hurts the film tremendously. The movie’s biggest flaw is its inability to connect with its audience. One does not believe, let alone care about Erik, Paul, or their supposed heartbreaking relationship. Keep the Lights On desperately wants to make one feel the downfalls and triumphs of these two men, but it ends up being somewhat of a raw shell with a hollow center.
Wish You Were Here
An impressive directorial debut from Kieran Darcy Smith, Wish You Were Here is an interesting drama thriller hybrid that fulfills the drama aspect, but falls short in terms of being a rewarding thriller. Told in a fragmentary non-chronological order, married couple Alice and Dave (the excellent Joel Edgerton) go on vacation with Alice’s sister Steph and her new boyfriend Jeremy. After a blurry crazy night of partying and drugs Jeremy goes missing without a trace. Post vacation life is anything but easy for the three who must continue on with their daily lives. Slowly but surely, piece-by-piece, the truth of what happened that night rears its ugly head and the characters are not as innocent as they would like each other to believe. Wish You Were Here demonstrates how one night, one decision can forever alter our lives and the lives of those we love. With an especially harrowing conclusion of the second act the film is constantly compelling. Still with all this suspense and mystery the big reveal feels a bit anti-climatic. The build up through out the entire movie deserves a more satisfying conclusion than the one that is given. The character of Steph is also strangely absent in the later half; she is used for a plot twist early on and then forgotten. What is frustrating is that the relationship dynamics between the three leads are so well developed, if only the story had been just as strong.
Image Sources:
http://keepthelightsonfilm.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/KEEP_THE_LIGHTS_ON_Thure_Lindhardt_Zachary_Booth_byJean-Christophe-Husson.jpg
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