LOVESONG



US, 2016, 84 minutes, Colour.
Riley Keogh, Jena Malone, Jessie Ok Gray, Sky Ok Gray, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Rosanna Arquette, Juliet Fitzpatrick, Neal Huff, Ryan Eggold.
Directed by So Yong Kim.


Lovesong is a brief film about two young women. The principal focus is on Sarah, Riley Keogh, who is alienated from her husband who travels, is at home all the time with her young daughter, Jessie, aged three. The first part of the film has many scenes of tenderness between mother and daughter – and a fine performance elicited from three-year-old Jessie okay Gray, completely convincing.

The second woman is Mindi, Jena Malone, a friend of Sarah from college days. She is a rather free spirit. She enjoys the visit, time with Sarah, playing with Jesse. Sarah is lonely, realises her care for Mindi, her dependence on her, which leads to intimacy in a sexual relationship. However, Mindi suddenly leaves.

The story transitions to 3 years later, Mindi’s wedding. Sarah and Jessie, now aged six and played by Jessie okay Gray is older sister, Sky, travel to the wedding. There is tension in the air because of Sarah’s love for Mindi, Mindi’s absence from her life in the past few years, the suddenness of the marriage. There are glimpses of Mindi’s fiance and his family but the focus is on Mindi herself, Sarah picking up her rather haughty mother at the railway station and the mother having a strong discussion with her daughter. There is the typical hens party but, after that, dancing at a club and more intimacy between the two women.

The climax is on the wedding day, Mindi seemingly nervous, going for a walk with Sarah, sharing with her, but both agreeing that they go back for the wedding which takes place. Sarah seems happy for Mindi, but has to face her future when the film ends.

1. The title? The plaintiff tone? The relationship between Sarah and Mindi? The relationship between Sarah and her daughter? The loss of love between husband and wife? Mindi and her fiance? The final song and credits? Tone?

2. Sarah’s story, her marriage, talking to a husband on Skype, is avoiding home, the separation? The scenes with Sarah and Jessie, Jessie age 3, playful, the little child’s ability with dialogue and acting, convincing? Sarah and her tenderness? Play, outings, of the children? The fast food outings? The park, amusements? At home?

3. Mindi’s arrival, the past friendship, at college, the bonds between the two? Mindi and her life, relationships, free and easy? Tender with Sarah? Playing with Mindi? The outings? The growing bond between the two women, sharing, the kisses, the relationship? The effect on Sarah? The effect on Mindi, the buying a ticket, sudden leaving, Farewell?

4. Three years later, Sarah and Jessie? Age 6? Little girl and her acting ability, dialogue? The travelling for Mindi’s wedding? The effect on Sarah? Her separation from her husband?

5. Mindi, three years later, red hair, the surprise of her being engaged? Her fiance, his family? The band? Sarah wanting some time with Mindi? Feeling left out?

6. The party for the girls, the chatter, the drinking, the stripper? Letting going to the club, dancing, the intense scene between Sarah and Mindi and the dancing, the kiss?

7. Sarah and her going to the railway station to collect Mindi’s mother, her manner, complaining about waiting, Sarah’s reaction? Mindi’s mother, talking to her daughter, the memories of the past, upbringing, distance? Anger?

8. The further preparations for the wedding, trying on the dress, the meal, the celebration?

9. The morning of the wedding, Mindi and the dress and veil, asking everybody to leave, the presumption of nerves? Outside with Sarah, going for the walk, the intimacy, talking, lying on the grass? The return for the wedding?

10. The ceremony, Sarah and his seeming happiness, Mindi and her fiance and the consent, the congregation? The solemnity of the promises and commitment?

11. Sarah, agreeing to Mindi’s wedding, shared happiness, yet her being alone with her daughter – and her future?