Conversations with Other Women
(B+ or 3/4 stars)
I love stumbling upon random diamonds in the rough like 'Conversations with Other Women', a romantic dramedy directed by Hans Canosa. A man runs into a woman at a wedding (Aaron Eckhart, Helena Bonham Carter). He flirts, she responds, they seem to be getting along; but something mysterious is occurring. Not all of the conversation is mutual, but the sexual tension is there. They share some odd commonalities, and before long, they're making an early exit from the reception and head for her hotel room. But you'd never guess where the root of this unnerving connection comes from. I'm surprised by my enjoyment of this little gem.
They are 38 yrs. old. She is a substitute bridesmaid & doesn't really want to be at the wedding. She'd rather be home in London with her husband & 3 step kids. He's the brother of the bride. He dates a 22 yr. old girl who isn't with him at the wedding, but he doesn't appear to really love her. Alone in a corner, he offers her champagne. As they innocently chit-chat, some interesting facts & reflections are revealed. Could they have known each other before? Is this 'just' a one-night fling? Do they even have sex? Previous connection or not, what goes down in her hotel room is darker, deeper, & sadder than you'd imagine.
There's a split-screen film technique employed here and, its use is brilliant. To convey ultimate emotions, visuals, & nuance, we're able to see/experience every angle of these 2 characters' interactions, speech patterns & responses. It is not distracting, nor irritating; its use is highly effective in showing depth of character. What's her simultaneous reflex to him saying something naughty? What's his simultaneous response to a jarring revelation about her? Perspectives overlap; connotations abound. In a normal film, there'd be a break & edit to show an implied reaction. Here, their every action is naked for us all to see.
The script is colloquial, smart, & intuitive. And the director (also the editor), allows 'us' to be editors as we watch his layered film unfold. Because we see/hear everything, we can watch this film over & over again & always find something new to interpret or associate. Aaron Eckhart is great as our slick, free-spirited nice guy. Helena Bonham Carter is superb with her double-meanings & forlorn vulnerability. While their nightlong fling is odd, they're able to move us by exposing us to the complex nature of their relationship; they're the heart of the film, through & through.
Themes in this film include passages of time, missed opportunities, loneliness of men & women, and the flippancy of life-choices. Really, the film is an examination on man & woman. They explore each other & explore themselves with pin-point detail over the course of one night. This movie isn't the most amazing thing I've ever seen; but the ending is strong, leaving the viewer to decide our character's fates. Whether things work out or not, 'Conversations with Other Women' takes us on their small, intimate journey that ends at the break of dawn. Thumbs way up.
They are 38 yrs. old. She is a substitute bridesmaid & doesn't really want to be at the wedding. She'd rather be home in London with her husband & 3 step kids. He's the brother of the bride. He dates a 22 yr. old girl who isn't with him at the wedding, but he doesn't appear to really love her. Alone in a corner, he offers her champagne. As they innocently chit-chat, some interesting facts & reflections are revealed. Could they have known each other before? Is this 'just' a one-night fling? Do they even have sex? Previous connection or not, what goes down in her hotel room is darker, deeper, & sadder than you'd imagine.
There's a split-screen film technique employed here and, its use is brilliant. To convey ultimate emotions, visuals, & nuance, we're able to see/experience every angle of these 2 characters' interactions, speech patterns & responses. It is not distracting, nor irritating; its use is highly effective in showing depth of character. What's her simultaneous reflex to him saying something naughty? What's his simultaneous response to a jarring revelation about her? Perspectives overlap; connotations abound. In a normal film, there'd be a break & edit to show an implied reaction. Here, their every action is naked for us all to see.
The script is colloquial, smart, & intuitive. And the director (also the editor), allows 'us' to be editors as we watch his layered film unfold. Because we see/hear everything, we can watch this film over & over again & always find something new to interpret or associate. Aaron Eckhart is great as our slick, free-spirited nice guy. Helena Bonham Carter is superb with her double-meanings & forlorn vulnerability. While their nightlong fling is odd, they're able to move us by exposing us to the complex nature of their relationship; they're the heart of the film, through & through.
Themes in this film include passages of time, missed opportunities, loneliness of men & women, and the flippancy of life-choices. Really, the film is an examination on man & woman. They explore each other & explore themselves with pin-point detail over the course of one night. This movie isn't the most amazing thing I've ever seen; but the ending is strong, leaving the viewer to decide our character's fates. Whether things work out or not, 'Conversations with Other Women' takes us on their small, intimate journey that ends at the break of dawn. Thumbs way up.