TOMORROW YOU'RE GONE

US, 2012, 105 minutes, Colour.
Stephen Dorff, Michelle Monaghan, Willem Dafoe.
Directed by David Jacobson.

Tomorrow You’re Gone sounds a pessimistic title for a film – and it is, especially with the central character, who has spent four years in prison, influenced by fellow criminal called The Buddha (Willem Dafoe in a few scenes), takes up with an actress in pornography movies, commits a murder at the instigation of The Buddha, but is prone to self-doubt, tested by some of the religious beliefs of the woman who picks him up – and shot at the end.

The synopsis probably sounds more exciting than the actual film which moves at a rather slower pace, giving attention to the character of Charlie, played by Stephen Dorff, and all his dilemmas and some moral and mental disintegration.The woman is played by Michelle Monaghan.

Probably best described as a curiosity item, thriller, psychological case with religious and even mystical dimensions.

1. The title? Pessimistic? As applied to Charlie? The Buddha? Florence?

2. The American city, prisons, streets, bars, apartments, mansions, the countryside? The musical score?

3. A thriller, psychological drama – with mystical and religious overtones?

4. Charlie, his background, four years in prison, the influence of The Buddha, receiving the letter, the code, the instigation to murder? His getting out, searching for The Buddha, getting new clothes, going to the bar, the information from the barman, the apartment, the noise next door, his looking through the wall, the nightmare and his vicious attack on the man? The encounter with Florence, her picking him up, going to her apartment, his hiding the money in the apartment? His showing him the pornographic video, the nuns, her participation? The relationship with Florence, discussions, her religious interests, talking about the soul, God, the visit to the church, his questions about himself? Going to do the murder, the shots, the woman as witness? The encounter with The Buddha, being urged to complete the job? On the road with Florence, the promise of the dinner, filling up at the service station, the delay, his finally going to the house, the encounter with the woman, her recognising him? His being shot by The Buddha, his stabbing him, the return to Florence? The religious implications? Death?

5. The Buddha, the past with Charlie, in jail, the letter, urging him to murder, appearing after the attempt, challenging Charlie, the final attempt? Shooting Charlie, being stabbed?

6. Florence, sultry, picking up Charlie, going to her apartment, the talk, the meal, watching the pornographic film, her participation, the separation of herself from the character on screen? Her liking for Charlie, his return to her? Her discussions about God, the soul? The plan for the dinner, in the countryside, going to the church? Her blonde wig and Charlie’s reaction, similar to the witness of the attempted killing? Her waiting for him? The end?

7. The pace of the film, slow, psychological, Charlie and his disintegration, Florence and her needs?