KALAMITY

US, 2010, 98 minutes, Colour.
Nick Stahl, Jonathan Jackson, Beau Garrett, Robert Forster, Alona Tal.
Directed by James M. Hausler.

Kalamity is the third film written and directed by James M. Hausler, still in his twenties when he made this film. It is about young people in their twenties. The two central characters have both had a five-year relationship with their girlfriends and there has been a break-up. One character, played intensely by Jonathan Jackson, becomes psychotic, kills his girlfriend, later attacks and kills his friend and co-worker (Christopher C. Clark). The other young man, played by Nick Stahl, comes home to visit his family, imagines his girlfriend and tries to reconcile with her. He also has to cope with the erratic behaviour of his friend. Ultimately, there is a confrontation between the two.

The film is really a short story, focusing on the central and their contrasting behaviour. It is a minor film, but is of interest in portraying the nature of friendship, obsessive relationships, the overflow into American violence.

1. The title? The tone?

2. The setting, the town, the homes, the shop, the woods? The visit to the university? Realistic atmosphere? Musical score?

3. The psychological plausibility of the plot and characters? The focus on Billy, his relationship with Alice, the years passing, the break-up, his return home, interactions with his parents? The continued scenes of his imagining Alice with him? The contrast with Stanley, the break-up, his hurt, obsession, violence? The contrast with Christian, the friendship with each of the young men, his comments, questioning of Stanley? Confiding in Nick? The outburst of violence against him and his death?

4. The character of Billy, his background, his relationship with Alice? The break? His wanting to make contact? Coming home, with his family, comfortable with them? Advice from his father? The encounters with Stanley, his wondering what was happening? Watching Stanley’s behaviour, listening to him talk? The discussions with Christian? His bewilderment at finding the body? His leaving it there? Going to Stanley, Stanley’s appeal, wanting Billy to kill him? Billy’s anger about the death of Alice? His leaving the house – for Stanley to kill himself or not?

5. Stanley, the opening, sinister in the woods, Christian asking him about the change of shirt? His anger at the questioning? Meeting with Billy, change of mood, the nature of the friendship? Not wanting Ashley mentioned? The confrontation with the girl in the bar, aiming the gun at her from his car? His allegedly going to Las Vegas, the trade show? Stanley going to the university, his flight, encountering Alice, her friend, suggesting the hike, the violence? His return, the encounter with Christian, bashing him? Taking him home, looking after him? The conversation, his suspicions of Christian talking with Billy? Getting the gun, shooting him? Billy’s arrival, his explanations, about Alice? His wanting Billy to kill him? Did he kill himself?

6. Christian, sharing the house with Stanley, asking the questions about the shirt, his work at the shop, getting Stanley’s advice? Chatting with Billy? His continued asking questions, Stanley’s exasperation, hitting him? Taking him home, the continued questions, Christian’s death?

7. Alice, being seen in Billy’s imagination, in all the situations? The reason for the break? Her talk to Stanley, explaining Billy’s attitude? Billy and his love? The misunderstandings?

8. Ashley, meeting Stanley, the friends, the relationship, the break, his taking her to the woods, her death?

9. A film by young people about young people – love, friendship, obsession?