THE HUMAN CONTRACT
US, 2008, 105 minutes, Colour.
Jason Clarke, Paz Vega, Idris Elba, T.J. Thyne, Joanna Cassidy, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ted Danson.
Directed by Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Human Contract is a portentous title. It is probably far too strong for the drama that is presented in this film, although writer-director Jada Pinkett Smith (better known as an actress, this being her directorial debut) tries to probe something of human identity and relationships.
The film divided viewers. Some saw it as an arthouse exploration of a tragic and failed relationship. Others saw it pretentious and tedious. Perhaps it is somewhere in between?
The film has an unusual cast. Jason Clarke is not a strong screen presence and perhaps not strong enough for the character he is portraying. On the other hand Paz Vega (very reminiscent of Penelope Cruz) suits her part perfectly. One of the difficulties is that very few explanations are given for the attitudes of the characters and some of their behaviour.
Jason Clarke’s character is a mid-30s executive who has the opportunity for the deal of a lifetime (offered by his boss, Ted Danson). A merger is in store, he has to prepare for it, he becomes distracted by a fatal relationship along the way, and is criticised by his colleague who also depends on the deal (Idris Elba). The importance of ethics for the appearances in the deal are important and Clarke puts his divorce on hold.
Paz Vega is a socialite, with a husband, in an open relationship, who relates well to Clarke, alters his life as he becomes passionately involved with her. She is enigmatic, but not always at his beck and call. This brings out the violent side of him, his dark room (interior and exterior) as well as his relationship with his mother, which is desperate but not explained. Nor is his relationship to his sister, an interracial issue, as she is played by Jada Pinkett Smith, an abused wife.
The film is melodramatic at times, not always resolved in terms of the characters as well as the deal situation. There is a symbolic ending as Clarke paints his room, offering him the chance to bring in the light and to begin again.
1. The title of the film? Its tone? The broad humane issues? The particular story? Issues of identity? Issues of commitment? Strengths and failures?
2. The American city setting, the office, the bars, apartments, homes? The American setting for this American story with universal implications? The musical score?
3. The range of the cast and their backgrounds?
4. The work of Jada Pinkett Smith, writing the screenplay, directing, performance?
5. The film depending on Jason Clarke as Julian Wright? The introduction to Julian, his age, his work in the company, his friends, out on the town, at the office, the board meeting, the possibility of the merger, the discussions about the merger, the expectations, E.J. Winters and his retiring, entrusting the merger to Julian? Larry and his dependence on Julian and the success of the deal?
6. The bar, the encounter with Michael? The irony of her name? Talking, his girlfriend and their meeting? The significance of the conversation at the bar? His relationship with Cheryl? At work, at home? The second encounter with Michael? The attraction, his becoming infatuated?
7. The sequences of the relationship with Michael, passionate, sexual? The consequences for each? His dependence on Michael?
8. Michael, as a character, her relationship with her husband? The open marriage? Her infatuation with Julian? Her times with him? His wanting her to be available always? Her reluctance? Declarations of love? His confrontation, his violence towards her, her collapse, his discovering the cuts on her arm and wrists? In hospital, his going to see her?
9. Michael’s husband, the artist, his confrontation with Julian? At the hospital?
10. Cheryl, her disappointment, encounters with Michael?
11. Larry, his plea to Julian? His own family background? The needs for the merger?
12. The consequences for Julian, going to see his mother, the discussions with his mother, her story, memories? The antagonism, the hurt to Julian as a boy?
13. Rita, her relationship with Julian, her husband, the abusive situation, her being a victim? With her mother?
14. The lack of resolution about the deal and audience disappointment?
15. Julian, his going to see Michael, her recovery? The effect of the experience on her? On him, his realisations about himself and his character? The final scene of his repainting his room – and providing an open canvas for a new life?
