THINGS PEOPLE DO
US, 2014, 109 minutes, Colour.
Wes Bentley, Vinessa Shaw, Jason Isaacs, Keith Carradine.
Directed by Saaar Klein.
Things People Do is a variation on the American dream story – which, so often, turns into a nightmare.
The setting is New Mexico, Albuquerque and its outskirts, dry environment in desert surroundings.
Bill (Wes Bentley) is in insurance man and we see him making his living, talking persuasively to clients. He seems to have a happy home, a devoted wife, a loving son. His in-laws are another matter, his father-in-law (Keith Carradine) continually putting him down, talking critically about his work. This exasperates him and he appeals to his wife, but she says that her father is the only family she has.
A recreation that Bill enjoys is bowling, joining a group of friends, letting their hair down. When one has a slight accident, a man who has been watching offers his help. He turns out to be a detective, separated from his wife and family, with a drinking problem. He is played with some geniality as well seriousness by Jason Isaac.
But the dream is not what it seems. Bill is fired from his job because he is not making sufficient money. He is unable to pay his mortgage and the bank officials are severe on him.
Back in the 1930s, the response to the failure of the American dream was for men and women to become criminals, especially robbing banks. But it is the 21st century and Bill decides to rob some of his clients, some of the people whose private lives are somewhat disedifying. He builds up some financial resources.
In the meantime, the detective is working on the case, getting information, able to build up something of a portrait of the robber – whom he recognises. Because he likes Bill, he talks with him about his situation, empathetic because he is losing his wife and family, alerting Bill that he needs to stop the robberies and find a safer and surer path for his life.
The director worked as editor for some of Terence Mallick’s films, Israel-born but with a career in the United States.
1. A piece of Americana? New Mexico? Characters, situations? Affluence? Financial crisis?
2. The title, what American people do, people worldwide?
3. The New Mexico settings, the terrain, the city of Albuquerque, deserts, dry and hot, homes and pools, the town, bars, bowling alleys, police headquarters? Sense of realism? The musical score?
4. The focus on Bill, a portrait of Bill, at the beginning, his insurance work? At home, the comfortable family? Enjoying the pool? The bonds within the family, love his wife? The visit to his father-in-law, his talk, about money, deriding Bill? His job and losing it? The bank and his inability to pay the mortgage? The harsh demands? His pride, bewilderment, his decisions, looking at the dogs around the house and the pool, draining it, the robberies and the visualisation of his intruding into the houses, the people, the old couple, the man and women having sex, his amassing the money? The effect on him? Robin Hood to rob the rich and help the poor, himself? At home, the growing tensions? The bowling alley, all the friends, the games, enjoying them, Frank and his presence, helping out with the injury, his drinking? Becoming a friend to Bill? The meetings, discussions? His police work?
5. Susan, the children, her father-in-law, her worry about Bill, unable to break through?
6. Frank, his age, experience, police work, drinking, at the bowls, helping Bill, getting the information about the robberies, realising what it happened? His own personal situation and divorce, his children and not seeing them?
7. Bill going home, draining the pool, trying to cope?
8. Frank, the warnings, letting Bill go – and his motivation?
9. Bill, a new chance of life, resuming his life, his relationship with his wife, children? What future?
