DVD Review: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them

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"You must really hate the Beatles."

When we first meet Eleanor (Jessica Chastain) and Conor (James McAvoy) they're happy and laughing and seemingly on their way to a long, happy love life. Fast forward a bit and they are separated and Eleanor is throwing herself of a bridge. After he failed suicide attempt, we watch her try to navigate life along while he attempts to get her back. After he finds her, of course.

There's a lot of really lovely things about this film. The cast being the best. McAvoy and Chastain have so much chemistry. This film was always going to be ambitious. It was shot in two different segments, "Him" and "Her" showing their different points of view. But apparently that's not for everyone, because we get the sloppy cut of "Them" together. Knowing how it was supposed to go, Them feels like it's just missing something. I'm not one to advocate for longer films very often, but I would've happily watched two different versions of this. Combining their view points just makes this seem like another love story. 

Recommended: Yes. It's still good, I just wish there was more.

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "What are you thinking?" - Eleanor (Jessica Chastain)

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 3, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    I hate that I can't get Him and Her on Netflix. I should be getting Them in the mail this week. I'm looking forward to, and not looking forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM

      I know, that bothered me too. I had them in my saved queue for the longest time as Him and Her, then Netflix changed it to Them. Damn it!

      Delete
    2. LukeMarch 3, 2015 at 7:56 PM

      I feel the same way. I love movies that tackle perspective in interesting ways. This was such an interesting narrative experiment and seeing that Jessica Chastain is the lead actress, someone who has been damn near flawless in her work for the past 5 years, leaves me wanting to see Him and Her. Here's hoping for some sort of special release.

      Delete
  2. DanielMarch 3, 2015 at 10:02 AM

    I can't speak to the "Them" cut, but the Him/Her double feature (they are supposed to work in either order, but I can't imagine Her/Him being anywhere near as satisfying), while having it's moments of dullness, has a cumulative impact like few things I've seen. Chastain and McAvoy are brilliant, and I love the very subtle, meaningful differences between the few scenes the two films share, which do an excellent job of putting you into the characters' headspace. I have only heard bland things about "Them", and thus have almost no desire to see it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 3, 2015 at 10:59 AM

      I'm not usually one to ask for longer films, lol, but here I would've preferred to see both cuts.

      Delete
  3. s.March 3, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    I still haven't seen it but I will check out Him and Her instead, hope it's good cause that is rather time consuming :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 4, 2015 at 6:54 AM

      It would probably be worth it as this one left a lot to be desired.

      Delete
  4. RuthMarch 3, 2015 at 1:59 PM

    I saw this months ago in a nearly-empty cinema and I was quite engrossed by the story. I hear ya that it sort of left you wanting more, and that might be because of the editing of the him/her versions and making 'em fit into 2 hrs for this THEM version. I do think the acting is excellent across the board, LOVE the Chastain/McAvoy pairing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 4, 2015 at 6:54 AM

      Yeah, it was definitely the editing there. Chastain and McAvoy did have wonderful chemistry. I loved them together.

      Delete
  5. thevoid99March 3, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    I have no interest in seeing the Them version of the film as I'm more interested in Him and Her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 4, 2015 at 6:53 AM

      I couldn't find those versions anywhere. Just Them.

      Delete
  6. Candice FrederickMarch 4, 2015 at 1:21 AM

    it did seem rather generic, didn't it? the acting was fine, and i loved the score, but it was kinda okey doke to me

    ReplyDelete
  7. Big Screen Small WordsMarch 4, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    I can't speak for "Them", but I liked the "Him/Her" versions. Both movies felt like responses to the agonies of the characters, plus there's contrast between how each of them viewed the other person. Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy were great.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMarch 4, 2015 at 7:39 AM

    I had no idea this film was in 3 parts, although I had at least heard the title before! Definitely going to add this to my watch list. Great review :)
    - Allie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 4, 2015 at 7:47 AM

      Thank you! It's in two parts, and the 3rd is those two combined. I hope you can find Him and Her!

      Delete
  9. JoshApril 3, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    Him/Her are now on Netflix Instant. You should check them out. Her first, then Him. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 4, 2015 at 6:42 AM

      Thanks for the tip. I was so pissed when I saw they uploaded them. Like my queue isn't huge enough. lol

      Delete

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