Triqz

Pleasantly surprised ngl. Went into this movie with no expectations, simply wanting to tick off Nolan’s filmography - that final act however was genuinely executed so well. Despite this movie being a low budget directorial debut almost 3 decades ago, you can still see Nolan’s handprint all over this. The non-linear story telling and the late revelations, paying off the patience needed for his style of storytelling. Majority of the first half was fairly slow and almost loses you a few times - but just the knowledge of knowing it’s a Nolan film gave me enough reason to see it out. As it turns out, it wasn’t a bad outing at all. It’s always super interesting to see the greats in their early phases - whether that’s in the arts, sports or any other profession. It’s inspiring to see talented people refine themselves overtime and fine tune the things that worked for them from the beginning; till they eventually become the household names we all know them for.

All 4 main characters were on their own separate drug journeys - but the most potent drug that all of them were on were false dreams and promises. It was the driver and the pit to their actual drug addictions. It was the excuses they told themselves to water down their dire situations. It’s hard to even compare whose situation was more saddening, but there’s just something difficult about watching old people suffer from loneliness and a lack of purpose. Sara was sold one dream and it decentralised her life completely. That one dream took priority over everything; and her slow descend to madness was gut wrenching. All 4 stories were bleak AF as we watch each individual’s life be destroyed by drugs. The movie doesn’t shy away from the pitfall of its use in the slightest. Also Ellen Burstyn’s performance as Sara was gripping man; and she has a big part to play in that uneasy, lingering feeling that you have when those end credits roll.  Side note but the soundtrack in this movie, specifically Lex Aeterna is something I’ve had on my playlist for years, and is lowkey the sole reason I’ve wanted to watch this movie (even without any context). I lowkey wish they used it less sparingly and just used it for one definitive moment though (as that’s the vibe the song gives). Regardless, when they used it again for the final scene it still hit like a truck, and left me with goosebumps. A tragically beautiful movie.