Meanwhile

Meanwhile is a film that has been described as a romantic comedy, though it explores much deeper themes than what one would expect from the genre. It was released in 2011 and directed by Hal Hartley. The movie stars D.J. Mendel, Danielle Meyer, and Pallavi Sastry. It follows the story of four different individuals who are all struggling to find their place in life.

The main character of the movie is Joe Fulton, played by D.J. Mendel. Joe is a somewhat hapless young man who works at a bookstore and is struggling to find a sense of purpose in his life. Meanwhile, his ex-girlfriend, Jill, has moved on and started a new life with another man. Joe is still mourning the relationship and is not sure what his next steps should be.

Into this mix steps the character of Vera, played by Danielle Meyer. Vera is a young, free-spirited artist who is interested in Joe. Despite their very different personalities, the two begin a tentative relationship. However, Joe quickly finds himself torn between his feelings for Vera and his lingering sense of loss over his ex-girlfriend.

Meanwhile, two other characters enter Joe's life. One is Otto, played by Sebastien Roche. Otto is a mysterious stranger who seems to be following Joe around. Joe is initially wary of Otto, but the two eventually strike up a friendship. The other new character is meant to be Joe's doppelganger, played by Pallavi Sastry. This character is also named Joe and is experiencing many of the same struggles that the real Joe is going through.

Throughout the movie, the different characters' storylines intertwine, each of them grappling with similar themes of love, loss, and identity. Meanwhile, the movie is structured in a unique way that serves to enhance its exploration of these themes. Scenes of the different characters' lives are edited together in a way that tightly links them together, creating a sense that their stories are all happening simultaneously.

As a romantic comedy, Meanwhile stands apart from the genre in a number of ways. First and foremost, the movie's sense of humor is more dry and sardonic than what one would expect from a typical rom-com. The movie is also notable for its moments of surreality, such as when Joe begins to see doubles of himself walking around. These moments serve to underscore the sense of existential confusion that the characters are feeling.

Ultimately, Meanwhile is a movie that defies easy categorization. It is a romantic comedy, but it is also a meditation on the human condition. It is hilarious, but it is also deeply poignant. The movie's commitment to exploring difficult questions about identity and purpose means that it may be a challenging watch for some viewers. But for those who are willing to take the journey with the characters, it is a rewarding and engaging film experience.