Film Review 1

 

Film Review 1

 

‘Sometimes, I think about dying’

Screenplay by: Stefanie Abel Horowitz & Katy Wright-Mead and Kevin Armento

Sometimes, I think about dying

In ‘Sometimes, I think about dying’ (SITAD), Fran, the protagonist begins act 1 at her lowest point. She is obsessing over her own death. The plot follows Fran on a journey of self-acceptance, worth and importance while overcoming the obstacles of depression and social awkwardness (her antagonists).

Fran narrates her life and thoughts using a voice over giving an insight to her world view. She is immersed in her obsessive depression. Fran’s makes comparison between larger spaces to smaller ones until it reaches herself in a bed, in a room, in a house. These comparisons symbolise the lack of importance and worth Fran feels when comparing herself to the world around her, nothing more than a small entity. 

She lives a mundane life,  working in an office making spreadsheets. The physical boredom encourages thoughts of suicide and death. These thoughts are shared through her mannerism of humour. When Fran uses humour her struggle with social interaction becomes apparent through her lack of expression. 

The inciting moment within SITAD is the introduction of Robert (around 1 min), he is the only person in the office who pays Fran any attention, exchanging a short but sweet grin which is returned with the hint of a smile by Fran. A feeling of hope grows within her for a moment, thinking Robert likes her, but she shuts this down quickly. She only sees herself desirable for physical needs and she is not worthy of love. It is clear Fran is longing for an emotional connection through her eagerness to spend time with Robert but her social awkwardness is hindering her ability to form one. This is one of the first instances we see Fran changing; she has an inkling of hope for something good.

From the beginning, there is always a physical distance between the pair involving introverted body language and awkward exchanges. Apart from two specific and deliberate moments within the story structure: the mid-point, and the closing sequence.

The midpoint, often where the protagonist begins doubting their actions (Batty, 2013: 107), is an intimate scene which comes as a surprise, this type of connection between them is incomprehensible, raising the question ‘have they taken this step too soon?’. Fran opened up to Robert physically but not emotionally, she thought she needed a physical connection. However, her character has developed as she still managed to open up.

In Act 3 Fran drastically changes, she begins conversations, is inquisitive about Robert and opens to him emotionally. She realises her importance to him, after discovering he is spending his birthday with her. Her question of ‘why?’ reflects her lack of self-worth and importance. Their relationship has help her find her worth which causes a breakdown.

A slower movement into physical closeness during resolution comes naturally and is initiated by Fran. This is a more natural move into intimacy. In this moment Fran confesses her obsession with death to Robert, she feels safe with him, and he has broken beyond her surface level. Fran content this vulnerability is what she really needed.

 

 

 

Reference List 

C. Batty (2013) ‘Writing the screenplay’ in: Graeme Harper (ed.)  A companion to creative writing, West Sussex: Wiley & Sons, Ltd pp.107