This movie was a bit of a hard watch as someone who has been in a similar toxic relationship. The subtle portrayal of Alice and Simon's relationship and Simon's controlling behavioral is really masterful, if at times triggering. So many small details make perfect sense and really add to the portrayal of Alice's situation (ripping up the paper with the waiter's number in the sink instead of just throwing it away, practicing how to tell Simon she's going away in a way that won't make him suspicious or upset, not truly having a moment to herself or her friends because he's always checking in, him guilting her into sex, her constant tension and self-monitoring), but I wonder if they can be almost too subtle for people who are less familiar with some of the less "obvious" forms of domestic abuse.
Where the film really shines is Anna Kendrick's performance, and how through her actions we slowly get the picture of what she's going through. I like the relationship between Alice and her friends, and how strained it is at first (because of Simon), before breaking down Alice's walls and rebuilding their trust in each other. Where I think the film is weak is in the attempts to add a thriller element with the missing girl. It would have been a good backdrop for Alice's internal tension, but it's frustrating that it never goes anywhere. Alice finds evidence but doesn't bring it in, and the missing woman is never found?? An odd plotline to add, and one the film didn't really need.
Overall solid movie that loses steam in the end.
Where the film really shines is Anna Kendrick's performance, and how through her actions we slowly get the picture of what she's going through. I like the relationship between Alice and her friends, and how strained it is at first (because of Simon), before breaking down Alice's walls and rebuilding their trust in each other. Where I think the film is weak is in the attempts to add a thriller element with the missing girl. It would have been a good backdrop for Alice's internal tension, but it's frustrating that it never goes anywhere. Alice finds evidence but doesn't bring it in, and the missing woman is never found?? An odd plotline to add, and one the film didn't really need.
Overall solid movie that loses steam in the end.