- “Sometimes I Think About Dying” is a film in which a melancholic atmosphere is mixed with humor in the style of the series. “The Office”
- The main role was played by Daisy Ridley, known from the new “Star Wars” trilogy. In “Sometimes I Think…”
- The film focuses on loneliness and the difficulties of overcoming it
The main character of the film is Fran (Daisy Ridley), a shy employee of a small office in one of the small towns somewhere in Oregon. The girl’s life is routine – boring work, lonely dinners, a dreary existence without her other half. Instead of dreaming of great love, Fran imagines her own death. This is her only entertainment. Everything changes when Robert joins the office (Dave Merheje) – teddy bear-like, a bit awkward, but overall a nice guy. In addition, he invites Fran to the cinema. However, she is not convinced. It is so difficult for her to break away from her overwhelming, yet safe loneliness.
Ridley is remembered as Rey from the new “Star Wars” trilogy. Her role as Fran could not have been more different from that of the young Jedi Master. Rey was a typical Mary Sue, a flawless figure, a jack of all trades who was always the center of attention. At the same time, it was difficult to determine its character. Fran, on the other hand, seems almost invisible. He does not speak for the first dozen or so minutes of the film and avoids any, even superficial, contact with his co-workers. What it comes from? The director does not give us a clear answer – and this is in no way a criticism of the film.
The choice of Fran as the main character may seem incomprehensible at first, especially if we compare her with her characteristic and slightly exaggerated (although by no means as extreme as in “The Office”) co-workers. However, there is something poignant about a constantly tense girl who is afraid to speak in front of someone, and her escape from everyday fears is imagining different ways of dying. Something that terrifies almost everyone is strangely comforting to her.
A great idea is to confront her with Robert – a warm and cordial guy who has experienced his share of disappointments and failures, but is not afraid to still seek happiness. They both fight loneliness in their own way. He tries and often gets hurt. Fran, on the other hand, seems to have given up – and the relationship with Robert seems to be her last attempt to break out of her bubble, which she herself does not fully believe will succeed.
The whole thing is wrapped in awkward humor based on everyday conversations and strange rituals. Robert’s introduction scene is great, during which all the office workers have to tell him what their favorite food is. Dramatic moments, in turn, are heard in silence, when the camera focuses on Fran looking away or giving up on the interaction at the last moment.
“Sometimes I Think About Dying” is not a comedy that will make the entire room laugh out loud. It is a sometimes funny, sometimes sad film about loneliness and the difficulties of overcoming it. Modest and simple – it feels like something straight from the Sundance festival. It is also a showcase of Ridley’s acting capabilities. Every look from Fran here means more than a hundred swings of Rey’s lightsaber.
7.5/10
“Sometimes I Think About Dying” (Sometimes I Think About Dying), dir. Rachel Lambertdistribution: Aurora Films, cinema premiere: March 1, 2024.