I have learned to approach anything A24 with caution. Given their preference for the creepy and/or uncomfortable, I definitely went into the screening of The Drama with my guard up. I cannot deny the fact that the way they market their films is genius more times than it isn’t and tends to be ahead of the curve even with the larger studios, but I would not be deterred as I sat down in the theater and the lights went down.
Director Kristoffer Borgli (who may need a hug given his previous films of Sick of Myself and Dream Scenario) also writes this tale that takes place the week of a couple’s wedding. Emma (Zendaya) and Charlie (Robert Pattinson) are young and in love in that way that kids tend to be as their nuptials approach, and they seem to have everything they want and need in each other.
Wait a minute… didn’t I say this was from A24?
Yes. Yes I did.
When a secret is revealed just a few days before the wedding, everything is put into a tailspin that affects every facet of their lives that snowballs itself into a feverish climax that leaves non one involved the same again. Told with a lot of flashback, it is important (should you choose to sit through this) to stay focused because if it is one thing I CAN say about this film is that there really isn’t any fat that needs to be trimmed outside of a couple of moments that could have been done better. Some of it may seem that way when presented, but it all pays off at some point.
I have found in the last few years that it is difficult for me to enjoy any film that has no characters to root for, and The Drama sets itself into that category fairly quickly. With it’s dark humor (and I mean DARK) and uncomfortable situations that would even make Ricky Gervais squirm, there is a specific audience that this film is made for, and I ain’t it. I cannot go much deeper into this film than that because doing so could sashay itself into spoiler territory, so let me just say that this film should come with a warning to those that have dealt with any trauma in their life past or present. Even wording that sentence took two or three times to convey properly. If you REALLY wanna know, there are resources out there that are happy to let you in on what is going on here.
IMDb lists this The Drama a “comedy drama romance,” but I am not sure that there is a category that really encompasses where it belongs. Dark comedy? Shock value? WTH? It’s all here, and if that is your bag… then check it out, but you have been warned.