Review of The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them (2014) by Tatsuhito K — 09 Aug 2015

I know that director Ned Benson released the Them version recently, which I have not seen yet, but this story should be told as Him and Her like he first intended it to be. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby is one of the more honest and true-to-life love stories in recent years.

Unlike the majority of Hollywood films, it does not sugarcoat anything and keeps it as realistic as possible. It is a film about so many things: Love, lost, pain, grief, friendships, families, and life.

It's about two flawed people connecting, falling in love, and moving on. James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain are both terrific as the young couple who is going through a tough time, and all the supporting actors give strong yet nuanced performances as well, including Bill Hader, Viola Davis, William Hurt, and Ciaran Hinds.

This is a hauntingly original and poignant drama, and it is not for everyone. It will leave you with bruises and take a piece out of you. I really liked Ned Benson's writing and direction; I really admire the experimental approach to this particular storytelling, it's quite hard to pull off this type of movie and he did it brilliantly.

Though it may feel too depressing for some, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby is a beautifully relatable portrait of love that combines humor, truth, and bitterness. I like it very much.