THE UNFORGIVABLE – Now streaming on Netflix. No Spoilers
More evidence that your characters don’t have to talk so much. There is so much more emotion and breadth of what’s possible in silence. Just like BRUISED, we have another protagonist who doesn’t say much and it’s beautiful because when she finally speaks up, the truth is revealed, and we know it’ll be the last time she ever says it out loud.
This film can also teach us that scenes don’t have to belong. Short sequences of simple dialogue can push stories forward as well. Things don’t always have to be complicated or long-winded. Give us the information we came to receive from the scene (because every scene has a goal) and get out.
Beautifully told.
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Critique: The flashbacks were frequent and oftentimes overused. Not sure if it was in the script this way or a choice made by the director or editor. Though there was a story to tell from the past that ultimately led to the truth for the present, there were a lot of flashes coming from both Ruth and Katie’s POVs. Sometimes, they felt unnecessary and forced for the visual aesthetic.
Written By: Shannan E. Johnson