Daisy Ridley Shines in ‘Sometimes I Think about Dying’
Courtesy of Point Productions, Saks Picture Company, Oscilloscope Laboratories
After the mixed trilogy that Daisy Ridley found herself in with Star Wars (sequels), she’s invested time in smaller budget films and honed her craft as an actress. This no more apparent than her gripping performance in ‘Sometimes I Think About Dying.’
A nuanced piece with a lot of office small-talk (everyone’s worst nightmare), Ridley’s character, Fran, struggles internally in this increasingly irritated environment, and often thinks about dying (no pun intended). The actress carries the film on her back as she quite masterfully conveys, through a nuanced performance, the complexities of human nature, human emotion, and the human condition.
The bleak landscape of Oregon combined with the claustrophobic cinematography by Dustin Lane amplifies the growing tensions our protagonist faces — especially when her world is turned upside-down with the arrival of a new colleague. This energetic and overly-friendly new colleague is played by comedian Dave Merheje, as he finds an interest in Fran and wants to develop a deeper connection with her. This is the section of the film where Daisy Ridley shines, as the power in her performance comes from her restraint.
Director Rachel Lambert puts her passion on full display with each scene; whether it’s a roaring party full of drama enthusiasts or Fran struggling to convey her thoughts to the person she desperately wants to open up to, it feels like every shot is meticulously set up to create a sense of sorrow and frustration. This makes getting into the protagonist’s psyche authentic and simple.
Something I appreciate from Lambert is not showing us the background of Fran. More often than not, filmmakers would leap into a flashback or have someone display a vomit-amount of exposition about the character’s past. But not Lambert — she knows what’s important to show, why she’s showing it, and how it’ll come across to the audience. We’re very much living in-the-moment with Fran (Daisy Ridley).
This film is a great addition to the many underrated gems of 2023 releases.
Our score: ★★★★
(out of 5 stars)
“Sometimes I Think About Dying” specifics: Fran, who likes to think about dying, makes the new guy at work laugh, which leads to dating and more. Now the only thing standing in their way is Fran herself.
CREW: Director: Rachel Lambert | Screenplay: Kevin Armento, Stefanie Abel Horowitz, Katy Wright-Mead | Cinematography: Dustin Lane | Editor: Ryan Kendrick | Music: Dabney Morris.
STARRING: Daisy Ridley, Dave Merheje, Parvesh Cheena, Marcia DeBonis, Megan Stalter.
PRODUCTION: Point Productions | Saks Picture Company | Oscilloscope Laboratories
2023 - Romance/Drama/Comedy - 1h 34m
