Review of Wristcutters: A Love Story (2007) by Lorenzo V — 05 Nov 2011

"You don't know what you have until you lose it.".

A film set in a strange afterlife way station that has been reserved for people who have committed suicide.

REVIEW.

Croatian director Goran Dukic brilliantly writes and directs 'Wristcutters: A Love Story'. Based on Etgar Keret's short story, Dukic derives an original idea about life after suicide. Though many fear that the love story runs the risk of glamourizing suicide, I feel this is an unfair misinterpretation. If anything, it is the contrary which is clearly implied in the end. Dukic successfully shows that suicide is never a solution to anything. Using subtlety as a tool, he creates a specific atmosphere for the land of the dead. The washed out colour, miserable setting and unhappy characters stress on the isolation and misery of the characters. At the same time the dry humour provides some very welcoming comic relief. The music is also carefully selected. Most of the songs were sung by bands who were associated with suicide. The cinematography too works on a subtle level, using different angles, range and perspective. Patrick Fugit and Shannyn Sossaman do a fine job but I enjoyed Shea Whigham's Eugene the most. He's funny and at the same time one can sense his despair and sadness. Mikal Lazarev too does a wonderful job and in her non-speaking part, Tom Waits is impressive. Familiar faces like Leslie Bibb and Will Arnett also make appearances. Overall Dukic has created an original film, one that is poignant and wonderful and sensibly tackles a relevant issue.