andrewebelher

The Chair is a complex and emotional film that offers something of a complex look into grief. It tells the story of a young boy struggling in a town that has suffered a plague of mould. While this once would have seemed like a strange and alien world that they live in, as of 2020, we as a world wide community understand the measures taken to keep safe, much more, making this a more relatable film than it would have been when it first released. The dark visuals and persistent zoom ins, push ins, and zoom outs along with slight dutch angles at times help to provide an uneasy feeling throughout the entirety of the film. The feeling is comparable to that often seen in horror. Everything seems fine. But there is a looming presence that makes you feel as though you are being watched. And as much as one may act unaffected, the final words of the film leave you feeling haunted. Despite these strengths, I must criticize the monotone voice of the speaker. At times, the film feels annoying to watch as the monotone pitch of every word becomes distracting. I could not focus on anything aside from how painfully dry the voice could be at points. Overall, this film is worth watching for a short period of time. It offers insight into a fictional tragedy of the past that is reflected in our present lives.