Immersion in loneliness A film about loneliness and despair. The paths of two completely different people converge randomly, but also diverge, so that they actually don’t even notice each other. The guy works as a bartender in a restaurant, but this profession does not please him. The same visitors, the same anecdotes every day and an indelible sense of emptiness and hopelessness. The actor Ryan O’Nan put it very well on the screen. His desperate screams at the bathroom mirror at the end of his shift, without anyone noticing. During one of these scenes, he accidentally stumbles upon a belated, unconscious woman who refuses to leave the bar. As a result, Cooper is forced to take her home.
There are not many locations in the film. Director and writer Brian Jett alternately moves his characters to a nightclub, then to an empty apartment Cooper with a sofa and a coffee table, then to a dog kennel. Only with the development of the plot, new places appear in it - romantic walks around the city, landscapes from the city bridge. Thus, Brian Jett reveals the spiritual development of his heroes, their attempt to escape from the oppressive captivity of loneliness.
The film is not only about him, but also about despair, crisis periods in human life, when no one but himself can help. How many people like Cooper and Daisy are around us? Sometimes we notice them, but most often there is not enough time or desire. But what happens when two people like that meet? Cooper is an introverted loser who suffers from his profession as a bartender, working more out of necessity. During the day - sleep, at night - customer service and empty exhausting chatter, vulgar jokes of customers, from which you need to laugh out of politeness. The same customers, about whom, however, you do not know anything, and do not feel any need for it. In the morning, get home to a soft sofa, and forget until the next evening. And endless bills. In my opinion, Ryan O’Nan perfectly conveyed all this on the screen.
There isn’t much dialogue in the film, but the charm isn’t in it, it’s in the atmosphere. Sometimes you can tell a lot more in silence. As she gets acquainted with Daisy Cooper, she spiritually enriches herself, tears off the burden of despondency.
The heroine Michelle Eng is verbose, in her past there is a secret hiding, which forced her to isolate herself from everyone and go deep into herself. However, the director never reveals her secret to us, which, frankly, is very puzzling. It is unlikely that the tragic death of a dog that Daisy thinks she could have saved. It doesn't go underground. Cooper and Daisy are people of completely different poles, both social and professional. But they share a sense of oppression, loneliness and despair. In the course of the plot, it turns out who this girl really was, and it becomes clear that the reasons for their behavior are completely different.
The picture could get a much higher appreciation from me, but constantly did not leave the feeling of understatement. What prompted Michelle Eng to behave like this? We'll never know that from the movie. The film is deeply psychological. It sets the tone for reflection, makes us think about many very important questions in life: what do we expect from it, what actions are capable of breaking with the surrounding oppressive routine, what are the people who surround us, and do we think about their fate? Very good author's film with great acting. Suitable for people who are thoughtful and waiting for movies not only an entertaining plot, but also a certain food. And the characteristic atmosphere of "Extinct Stars" is set from the first minutes of viewing.
7 out of 10