In Memoriam

My brother and I went to see the screening of what was essentially a zero budget indie film last night.
The film was shot in Chicago in 18 days by the writer/director/editor/producer Stephen Cone, of Cone Arts.

The story centers around Johnathan a drifting and somewhat purposeless mid 20's man who is struck by the deaths of two local college students. The couple to their deaths naked from a roof. He sets out on a personal "investigation" to discover how, or why when really it's as obvious and straight forward as the facts in the article he read about it in. During his investigation he meets and becomes involved with the family and friends of the two students and then sets out to recreate the day of their deaths on film with the friends of the dead couple.

The first 30 minutes of the film are slow as it is mostly just Johnathan's aimless, unexciting life, but there are glimpses of things worthwhile to engage you. It could be hints at future intrigue in plot, relationships, character development, or story that keep you watching through this slow period you see bits of promise from all, only none are presenting themselves fully. But as Johnathan begins his haphazard inquiries to the friends and family you slowly begin to see (or feel) there is something more.

While it builds slowly the development does happen and it is done subtly and well. The plot itself is not gripping or really that prominent which is what makes for the slow build. It is all the other elements of character introduction, development, and story that come together to create something worth while.

What is shown is a very realistic taste of a strange personal journey that has no real explanation. This in part is why the plot itself is not gripping but rather the over all introduction and development of characters and relationships is what holds you. This introduction and then further involvement of each new character and the relationships they bring with them and go on to create with existing characters is a joy to watch. By the time the film comes to an end nothing really has become of the central plot. The satisfaction comes from the real and intricately woven connections throughout that continue to build and leave you with the lasting notion that they are still out there building.

The films strength comes from it's directing and writing which really shine during the scenes at the end that show all of the characters together in one location. Here in every cut you see the continuously evolving connections between each character. It is because of the writing that so much is happening all at once in these scenes and the directing that captures it.  

In Memoriam is definitely worth watching and will certainly be something to discuss with any who watch it along with you.

Till next time.

"when the ship runs out of ocean and the vessel runs ashore that's when we'll cry women and men!"