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Everything Moves Alone

Where to Watch Everything Moves Alone

2019

Set against the backdrop of a small American town, the film Everything Moves Alone presents audiences with a panoramic view into the lives of its diverse and intersecting characters, offering a heart-touching exploration of human emotions, relationships, and intimate struggles. Revolving around an assorted mix of characters - a lonely photo developer, a widow, and a group of friends, this film explores how their lives are marked by isolation and how they navigate through their inner trauma in an attempt to escape this emotional dissipation.

The film opens with a close-up of Thomas, a quiet introvert who works at a local photo lab. Desperately yearning for human connection, he finds all his meaningful relationships confined to the images in the photos he develops. Displaying an intensely poignant portrayal of life's disappointments, Thomas's life mirrors the profound melancholy that many experience but seldom express.

Parallel to Thomas's narrative is the story of April, a widowed nurse grappling with the loneliness bereavement has bequeathed her. Her attempts at moving on and finding love again, though viewed with suspicion and judgement by her small-town community, is a subplot that is handled with sensitivity.

Meanwhile, we're introduced to an ensemble of four friends - Mike, Bob, Chops, and Stiff - who are suspended in a state of perpetual hangout in an old rickety shed known as "The Pus Palace". Constantly plotting about petty scams and trading lighthearted banter, they give the film its much-required comic relief moments. However, beneath the surface, all four are stuck in the countdown towards their impending adulthood but are hesitant to confront the major life decisions it entails.

As the film unfolds, these individuals' lives intersect and diverge in unexpected ways, offering a rich tapestry of human experience, emotions, and personal adversity. The film has an interesting way of juxtaposing the monotony of everyday life with the profound emotions that individuals experience; the mundane world serves as a backdrop against which the deep human emotions stand out starkly, like Figures in a Caravaggio painting.

Director and writer Mike Aransky leverages the profound depth of his characters to invite viewers on a journey through their lives, marked by conflict, resolution, introspection, and transformation. Subtle plot twists keep audiences on their toes, and the delicately evolving relationships between characters offer moments that resonate with tranquillity and warmth. The film realizes its full potential in its well-executed climax, where the contingency of life's experiences and the possibility of change are beautifully portrayed.

The cinematography of the film is worth mentioning for its splendid display of the ordinary in a beautiful light. The small-town setting with its idyllic milieu is perfectly captured and lends a distinctive charm to the narrative. Set in a leisurely pace that matches the unhurried life of the town's inhabitants, the film gradually immerses you into the character's world and makes you feel a part of their self-discovery process.

The performances are a standout, notably Phil Guerrette, who convincingly portrays the character of Thomas. His performance subtly conveys the heartache and despair that loneliness brings, displaying evident versatility in his craft. The ensemble cast works well in unison, bringing an energetic vibrancy to the storyline that feels authentic and organic.

Everything Moves Alone also toys with the paradox of freedom, demonstrating how too much freedom can, at times, lead to an aimless existence. All characters, in one way or another, grapple with this condition whereby their aimless freedom inevitably guides them to a barren existential impasse, hence aptly titled "Everything Moves Alone".

To sum it up, Everything Moves Alone is a thoughtful exploration of how loneliness manifests in different forms. It throws light onto the complex tapestry of human life, characterized by an unending search for meaningful connections and the strenuous journey towards self-acceptance and change. With a brilliant storyline, engaging narrative, and splendid performances, this film will definitely appeal to film enthusiasts who appreciate character-driven narratives and introspective cinema. It is an example of profound independent filmmaking, guaranteed to touch hearts and provoke contemplation.

Everything Moves Alone is a Comedy, Drama movie released in 2019. It has a runtime of 89.

Director
Thomas Edward Seymour
Genres
Also directed by Thomas Edward Seymour