If asked, I think most people would say that they try to avoid “the drama” in social situations. For Kristoffer Borgli, writer and director of The Drama, I have the distinct feeling that the opposite may be true. The Drama follows Emma (Zendaya, Challengers) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson, The Batman) as they make joyful preparations for their wedding; but the unexpected revelation of a secret from the past shifts the dynamic of the relationship in ways that threaten the foundation of their upcoming life together.
The Drama is the first of Borgli’s films that I have seen, though I feel that’s in spite of myself; I missed Dream Scenario in theatres by a hair, and Sick Of Myself is exclusively on MUBI in Canada, which I don’t have access to. I’ve had numerous people tell me that both of these films are right up my alley, so I knew I couldn’t miss The Drama in theatres. What I got was exactly what I expected in the form of a romantic black comedy with compelling, charismatic leads; and a whole lot of things I didn’t expect.
The Drama centres heavily on Charlie and Emma, and the chemistry between Pattinson and Zendaya is undeniable. The opening sequence, detailing their first meeting and the preparations for their wedding, is a clear demonstration of a young couple in love; but also maintains a sense of realism, with the couple disagreeing over the necessity of certain aspects of the wedding. It’s one of the most memorably effective opening sequences in a film of this kind that I can think of; taking the steps to establish a more complicated dynamic between the couple that allows for a proper look into who they are, both together and separately, before the dramatic plot moment that this film truly hinges on is revealed.
I won’t go into what that moment is, but importantly, Charlie and Emma are not alone for it. Best man Mike (Mamoudou Athie, Elemental) and Maid of Honour Rachel (Alana Haim, Licorice Pizza) are also present, and their knowledge of the secret is a true driving factor in the rest of the plot. Both of them play their roles well; Mike is a quiet, considered yet direct sounding board for Charlie and Athie is very convincing in that role, and Rachel reacts with a kind of rage that is a real catalyst for the immediate emotional responses of the whole group.
What follows is a darkly funny and often awkward spiral from Charlie and Emma as they both deal with the ramifications of this secret, all while still preparing for a wedding which is less than a week away. Borgli does a great job of pacing the story; showing us both Charlie and Emma apart and together, interacting with other characters that both highlight the growing space between them and the desire to hold everything together. Their issues spill over into other aspects of their lives, including the professional relationship between Emma and Rachel. Weaving other characters into the story as a tool to both demonstrate the mental anguish of the central couple, and also as a way to exacerbate it, is an impressive and effective tool to advance the narrative in a realistic and naturalistic way for such a human story. Zendaya and Pattinson do really great work throughout this whole film; with both balancing their attempts to hold things together in public with their more vulnerable moments both alone and together as the week goes on and their emotional states become more complicated.
The narrative really is key to the impact of this film, and while I generally avoid plot discussions in my reviews; it’s especially important here to keep things under wraps as much as possible for those of you who want to see it. You can take that as my recommendation; this is a great piece of cinema, with a truly unique and compelling narrative and a brilliant cast working with a fantastic script. It’s worth seeing before someone or something spoils that major plot moment; and I know for a fact that I’ll be redoubling my efforts to see the rest of Borgli’s work off the back of this film.
Dave Writes Reviews 