I don't have much to say about this film regarding its film form, however I liked the camera movement and how to captured the absurd realism of the story.
The thing that caught me the most about this film was how it was one giant metaphor for depression. Shown by Ruth calling the authorities when she finds the address of the people who robbed her and they tell her it's not enough evidence, to when she's sat down with Detective Bendix and he tells her there "are bigger problems in the world than your silverware". The main character is depressed, however the burglary and the police work involved captured the essence of someone literally being broken into and people give initial concern, however when they realise there isn't enough evidence to pursue anything, or don't deem it a high enough priority, it reflects how it can feel as a depressive, finally reaching out for help and it being dismissed and/or not cared about enough.
To me, the patient that dies at the very beginning represents Ruth's initial state on that particular day, and the burglary is the tip of the iceberg and she realises she needs help. I have been in a situation where I have dealt with everything by myself, and when I finally tell someone they brush it aside or make up an excuse to reason with me. This is what the police in the film represent - someone you should trust but ultimately have bigger things to deal with. In fairness, a burglary is often less priority compared to certain crimes, but they should still have assured her that they would solve it as soon as possible and that there would be people working on the case.
The comedy aspect to the film I felt was very effective. A lot of films about depression are often very melancholy with Expressionistic elements, or they're quirky and romanticised, however I felt a black comedy worked well as it reflects how even some depressed people live normal lives, filled with little mishaps that they can find joy over. It's a little morbid, but watching Marshall get bitten by a water moccasin made me chuckle, as I feel it represented self-destructive thoughts finally being dealt with.
Overall, I felt this film was very enjoyable and entertaining. Personally, I find the story line a little distracting when trying to focus on film form, however to a wider audience who don't speak film language, this is absolutely brilliant and definitely worth a watch.
The thing that caught me the most about this film was how it was one giant metaphor for depression. Shown by Ruth calling the authorities when she finds the address of the people who robbed her and they tell her it's not enough evidence, to when she's sat down with Detective Bendix and he tells her there "are bigger problems in the world than your silverware". The main character is depressed, however the burglary and the police work involved captured the essence of someone literally being broken into and people give initial concern, however when they realise there isn't enough evidence to pursue anything, or don't deem it a high enough priority, it reflects how it can feel as a depressive, finally reaching out for help and it being dismissed and/or not cared about enough.
To me, the patient that dies at the very beginning represents Ruth's initial state on that particular day, and the burglary is the tip of the iceberg and she realises she needs help. I have been in a situation where I have dealt with everything by myself, and when I finally tell someone they brush it aside or make up an excuse to reason with me. This is what the police in the film represent - someone you should trust but ultimately have bigger things to deal with. In fairness, a burglary is often less priority compared to certain crimes, but they should still have assured her that they would solve it as soon as possible and that there would be people working on the case.
The comedy aspect to the film I felt was very effective. A lot of films about depression are often very melancholy with Expressionistic elements, or they're quirky and romanticised, however I felt a black comedy worked well as it reflects how even some depressed people live normal lives, filled with little mishaps that they can find joy over. It's a little morbid, but watching Marshall get bitten by a water moccasin made me chuckle, as I feel it represented self-destructive thoughts finally being dealt with.
Overall, I felt this film was very enjoyable and entertaining. Personally, I find the story line a little distracting when trying to focus on film form, however to a wider audience who don't speak film language, this is absolutely brilliant and definitely worth a watch.