THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS
US, 2020, 80 minutes, Colour.
Clane Crawford, Sepideh Moafi, Chris Coy.
Directed by Robert Machoian.
This is a small, brief, independent film. It was filmed in a small country town in Utah. It creates the atmosphere of the town very effectively, somewhat isolated, ordinary streets and shops and buildings, a range of homes.
The film introduces us to David, a middle-aged man, breaking into a house, threatening a sleeping person with the gun – but then leaving through the window. He then goes to see his father who is in bad health, his son caring for him though each critical of the other.
What emerges is that Nikki, his wife of many years, has separated, she caring for their four children, some raucous young boys, he having tested custody for visits. There is still some attraction between them and, oddly, they meet up regularly, sitting in David’s truck, talking, yet worrying about the children.
It emerges that Nikki is also seeing Derek. David is jealous, this leading to some confrontations between the two men, Derek physical and dominating.
The audience is left to wonder what reconciliation there can be, what future for David, any future for Nikki with Derek, the custody of the children.
A brief glimpse into the world of family breakup.
- A small budget film? A brief film? US independent filmmaking?
- The small town, the homes, the streets, supermarkets? The surrounding countryside? Authentic atmosphere? The musical score?
- The title, audience expectations, the lovers being husband and wife, their love for each other, yet separation, family, the wife and the new boyfriend, the consequences? Especially for the husband, bewilderment, anger?
- The opening, David and his gun, at the bed, leaving through the window, running home, living with his father, doing the chores, his demanding father, the conversations?
- The marital situation, marrying young, having chest early, the other boys, the years passing, Nikki and her paralegal work, her abilities? David and his jobs? Meeting Miss Staples, the two weeks job for clearing the rubbish?
- David, the separation, the psychological effect? The episode of the to meeting, sitting in the truck, a dating night? Nicky and her concern about the children?
- Jess, picked up by her father, her angers and taunts? And surly behaviour, at home, with the boys? The visits to the supermarket and shopping? The contrast with the three boys, their age, young, playing together, devotion to their father? The outings with him, the games?
- David, life in the town, friends, Jeremy, at the diner, at the supermarket?
- David and the meeting with Derek, his strong stances, wanting to intervene, the discussions in the street, sending Nikki away, to get the children, Derek and his bashing David, the consequences, his rage in the truck, driving recklessly?
- The later scenes, at the supermarket, his bandages?
- The ending, reconciliation, David and his coping with the situation, Nikki and the boyfriend, the children?
- A small town glimpse of a broken down marriage?
