ONLY MINE
US, 2019, 87 minutes, Colour.
Amber Midthunder, Brett Zimmerman, Chris Browning, Walter Fauntleroy, Claudia Ferri.
Directed by Michael Civille.
If you would like to see a film about obsession and stalking leading to violence, this might fit the bill. It is the story of a young woman in a small town who wants to leave to pursue studies, encountering a sympathetic police officer, beginning a relationship with him only to discover that he is extraordinarily obsessive, violent. He is misogynist in his dealings with the young woman.
The film opens with an impression that she has been severely injured, possibly killed. There are flashbacks building up the development of the relationship and its collapse. The technique is used of interviews with friends and investigating police officials.
The title expresses the obsessive view of the police officer.
1. The title, expectations, relationships, possessiveness, obsession?
2. The setting for the melodrama, the country town and its look, homes and streets, the police precincts? Outside the town, the countryside, the woods and the beauty? The musical score?
3. Julie’s story? Her background, ambitions, to leave, to study? The encounter with David, romantic, the bond with him? David and his story, in the police, the return, his status in the town, his work? Bonding with Julie?
4. The structure of the film, the injuries to Julie, whether dead or alive, what happened to her?
5. The style of the narrative, the range of interviews with Julie’s family, friends, the police…? The audience learning more about her, the criticisms and bad-mouthing of her, the dangers?
6. The relationship between Julie and David, from love, to obsession, to cruelty, to rejection, to vicious revenge, to violence?
7. The consequences for Julie, the rumours and criticisms, her coping, support from her friends, family?
8. People believing David, his authority, charm? The revelation of the truth about him – and its revelation to the audience?
9. The combination, the violence, – and Julie surviving?
