Before/During/After

Before/During/After is an engrossing and profoundly resonant drama from 2020, featuring an incredible cast led by Finnerty Steeves, Jeff Talbott, and John Pankow. The movie explores the inexplicable complexities of love, communication, and self-discovery amidst life confrontation in sophisticated New York City. It's a film unafraid to engage with deep emotional nuance, deftly balancing levity and gravity in what turns out to be an immersive journey of self-resilience and hope.

At the outset, the audience is introduced to the vibrant, 15-year-long marriage of a New York actor couple, Jenny (Finnerty Steeves) and David (Jeff Talbott). Throughout the narrative, we are launched into an insightful examination of relationship dynamics, notably exploring how the couple's shared profession contributes to their interplay. The couple’s seemingly picturesque life encounters the harsh abrasiveness of reality, challenging their understanding of love, commitment, and individuality. The film peels back the layers of their marital relationship, revealing the intricate network of emotions, shared history, and individual aspirations lurking just beneath the surface.

Finnerty Steeves, in addition to performing a lead role, also showcases her writing prowess as the chief writer of the script. Her deep understanding of character development, human relationships, and emotional characterization is displayed in the authentic dialogue and genuine emotions that pervade the film. Her character, Jenny, serves as a beacon for women navigating self-rediscovery amid personal crises, showing immense strength, wittiness, and emotional depth.

Jeff Talbott delivers an engaging portrayal of David, balancing charm and vulnerability, leaving room for the audience to form their own opinions on the character and his actions. As her husband, he matches Steeves' performance note for note, engaging in a compelling depiction of their relationship and personal growth. As an actor, his struggles with the nuances of his profession and marriage provide an added layer of complexity to their relationship.

John Pankow brings an intriguing dynamic to the film, adding diverse perspectives and dimensions to the narrative. Every interaction and dialogue impacts the overall storyline, pushing the narrative forward, while maintaining the depth of each character's journey.

Set in the illustrious world of New York City's theater scene and photography, the film captures the contrast between the glamorous façade of the city of dreams and the often harsh realities beneath. These environments serve to heighten the emotional stakes for the central couple and reflect the dichotomy between public image and private reality.

Interspersed throughout the film are therapy sessions, providing insight into the characters' internal dialogue. These therapy scenes are masterfully placed, offering the audience much-needed respite amidst the turbulence of the couple's external life. The therapist (played by Richard Masur) offers disarming wit while saturating even the most intense moments in the couple's life with wisdom, humor, and compassion.

The film orbits around themes of love, infidelity, betrayal, and personal growth, but what sets it apart is that it manages to explore these familiar themes with a refreshingly raw edge of authenticity. The story is a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of relationships, the ebb and flow of love, and the resilience that comes with realizing self-worth. The comedy-drama emphasizes the importance of self-love and independence, an emotional expedition of rediscovering oneself amidst the storm.

Under the careful direction of Stephen Kunken and Jack Lewars, Before/During/After strikes a delicate balance between laughter, tears, and contemplation. The movie doesn't shy away from the bittersweet realities of life, embracing both the fractures and the repairs that make a life truly a life.

Before/During/After is a film about the tenacity of hope in painful circumstances, about the courage needed to face reality, and the power to move forward with conviction and dignity. It is a story of embracing one's vulnerable side and learning to grow amidst adversity. Above all, it's a tale of deep introspection, inviting each viewer on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

In all, it's an extraordinary, beautifully acted, directed, and written film filled with humor, pathos, and love.