THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY - THEM

US, 2014, 122 minutes, Colour.
Jessica Chastain, James Mc Avoy, Nina Arianda, Jess Weixel, Bill Hader, William Hurt, Isabelle Huppert.
Directed by Ned Benson.

The release of The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby – Them will cause some problems for film buffs who have heard that prior to the editing of this film there was a version of The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby which focused on Eleanor with the caption Her and, as well, there was a version with the caption Him. Distributors have opted to release Her and Him by download and DVD and to release only Them to cinemas. For any audiences who have seen Her and Him, the selection of material edited together from the previous film in Them, will be of interest to see the intercutting of the two perspectives. For those see Them first, looking at the previous two firms might be similar to the experience of seeing a film and then reading the book on which it was based later, filling in a great deal of detail and highlighting how different perspectives can be.

One of the difficulties, dramatically, with Them is that there are some crises Eleanor’s life but it is only later in the film that we discover what they are and how significant they are. There are initially playful moments but then a rapid transition to Eleanor contemplating suicide. Her husband visits her in hospital but she opts to stay with her parents. He tries to cope, working in his restaurant which is going down in terms of customers. And he has to go to live without his sometimes cantankerous father (Ciaran Hinds).

On the surface it seems a portrait of a failed marriage but it becomes clear that husband and wife do love each other but attempts at reconciliation are ineffectual.

Jessica Chastain portrays Eleanor, in her 30s, a woman floating through life after the crisis. Her loving parents, long-married (William Hurt and Isabelle Huppert) are supportive as is her sister. She attempts to do some studies with the help of the professor (Viola Davis). James McAvoy? portrays Conor, also in his 30s, who has grieved, adrift in his work, relying on the support of friends at the restaurant, especially Stuart (Bill Hader).

The film shows a number of attempts for each of the couple to try to understand the other, moments of betrayal, moments of love, moments of hesitation.

Finally, both Eleanor and Conor have some time away from each other, with the possibility that things might get better, a glimmer of hope rather than despair.

1. The original films: Him, Her, the different emphases on Eleanor and Conor, the different perspectives, on the same events?

2. This film and the combination of footage, the effect, inclusions and omissions, the order of events?

3. The title, the Beatles song, her parents calling Eleanor after the song, the quotations by the professor?

4. Audience sympathies, towards each of the characters, changes? The ending?

5. The key information about the child’s death, the late revelation of this fact, its impact, the visuals, Eleanor with the pram and the dolls, finally seeing the photo which was taken from the wall?

6. The opening, the light touch, the couple having the meal, not wanting to pay, making their escape, the chase, in the park, love? The transition to Eleanor on the bridge, her jumping, the rescue from the water, in hospital, Conor and his visit, her not knowing, her leaving with her sister, going to her parents’ home, their welcoming her, taking the picture from the wall?

7. Conor, alone, his regrets, the audience not knowing about the death of the child? Going to his father, his ability to talk with him, or not? Memories of his mother? His work in the restaurant, little custom, the staff, interactions, Stuart and his friendship, the jokes, the fight, the apartment? The expenses for the restaurant, possibility of closing? His father, the successful restaurant, talking about the old customers, the Rolling Stones, the name of the restaurant, Anna, after the father’s wife, his third wife leaving him, offering the restaurant to his son?

8. Eleanor, cutting her hair, different appearance, in the street, the chance encounter with Stuart? Going to the University, sitting on the floor, the interview with the professor, her studies, change of heart, the professor talking about heartbreak? Her character, her own life, a sounding board for Eleanor?

9. Eleanor going out, driving, with Conor, in the car, getting wet, Conor talking about his infidelity? Her reaction? Going to the club, the man, going to the room, stopping?

10. The different interactions between the couple, Conor packing, the visit, her putting the blanket on her husband, genuine love?

11. The portrait of Eleanor’s parents, professor, French mother, the past, the memories, welcoming her, the dancing together and their daughter watching?
The decision to go to Paris?

12. One year passing, Eleanor and her return after the experience, its effect? Conor and his doing accounts in his father’s restaurant? Walking through the park, Eleanor following him? A sign of hope?