Could those you love ever do something so terrible that it would change how you feel about them forever? That’s the question explored in Zendaya’s latest film, says Rebecca Chapman
How well do we know the people we love? Is there anything we could discover about them that would make us love them less – or not at all? An awful act they did…a terrible thought they had, even. Would the resulting drama be the end of your relationship – or the start of a second chance?
There are so many questions to be discussed at the end of The Drama that you won’t want for conversation topics when the lights go back on.
We present our best selves to other people – does that make what we choose to show a façade?
The Drama is a dark, satirical rom-com from Norwegian writer/director Kristoffer Borgli, about an engaged couple a week away from their wedding. It features two of the biggest megastars of the moment - Zendaya (Emma) and Robert Pattinson (Charlie). Both put in excellent performances, and have incrediable chemistry. It’s one of the most interesting and controversial films released so far this year.
The marketing has cleverly concealed the film’s major spoiler, and so I shall do the same, to allow you to enjoy the shock factor as the director intended. From the very first moments, the use of sound and the abrupt editing leaves the viewer on edge, waiting for the tension to break.
What would you do?
This is a film about people tying themselves in knots over something that didn’t happen, but almost did. A week away from their wedding, Emma and Charlie have drunk too much at a taster session for their wedding menu with their best friends. A ghastly game ensues and Emma is persuaded to reveal a secret.
As different characters respond to the revelation, we see that how someone responds to new knowledge about another person depends hugely on their own context. Part of the reason this film provokes so much conversation is that it is designed to allow multiple different responses to the same scenario. You might ask if it’s even ethical to unpack some of this subject matter in a comedy. It’s certainly excruciating, if grimly entertaining, to watch.
Nobel laureate and Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez once said: “Everyone has three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life.” This is about that secret life. Emma is punished for a thought she didn’t actually act on. Her maid of honour, Rachel, is convinced that people don’t change – she draws a line and won’t cross it. Fiancée Charlie wants to try to understand, to believe in her ability to change. But his response spirals such that the wedding seems in doubt.
Can we hold someone accountable for something they did as a child? Does that change who they are now? What would you forgive the people you love for?
Red lines and redemption
Jumping to judgement can be performative, of course. There are interesting parallels drawn between wedding DJ, Pauline, who is spotted smoking heroin, and Emma. If Pauline hadn’t been seen, no-one would know. Yet Emma finds herself persuaded to fire her, despite initially arguing: “I don’t want to dump her because of this one thing.”
When Emma pushes for a less choreographed first dance at their wedding, their teacher snaps that weddings are “performative by nature”. We present our best selves to other people – does that make what we choose to show just a façade, when what is beneath is human sinfulness?
One of the most interesting and controversial films released so far this year
The Bible teaches us that forgiveness, repentance and redemption are possible. As Emma attempts to tell her story, there is evidence of true transformation. Her crime, such as her mental plan was, occurred when she was in dark place and needed community. Surely we don’t believe that people are their worst thoughts? Yet we live in a cancel culture that does seem inclined to judge people on intentions alone.
The Drama’s opening scenes include the two leads talking about starting over, making “a second first impression” after the first one didn’t land. By the end of the movie, they are role playing starting over once more. It might be somewhat performative. And a clever spin. Maybe they won’t ever look at – or love – each other in quite the same way again. Maybe they will ignore what they have learned about each other, and overlook it, rather than move past it with forgiveness. But in not walking away from each other, they show that there is room for redemption.
Go see this film with your partner, friends, family. The journey home may be filled with debate about red lines and redemption. Thankfully, whatever other people might think of us, there is nothing we can do to make God love us more – or less.
The Drama is now showing in UK cinemas
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