Some Days are Better than Others

Some Days are Better than Others is a poignant and introspective drama film directed by Matt McCormick. Lovingly shot in the Pacific Northwest, the movie introduces us to three characters who are trying to find meaning in their mundane and isolated lives.

The first character we meet is Katrina, played by Carrie Brownstein, who works at a thrift store and spends her days listing and selling items online. She is clearly going through a rough patch in life, having recently broken up with her boyfriend and feeling directionless. Katrina is deeply introspective, and through her inner monologues, we see her unpacking her emotions, questioning her choices, and struggling to find a sense of purpose.

The second character is Eli, played by James Mercer, the lead singer of the indie rock band The Shins. Eli is a gloomy and reclusive musician who has retired from playing live shows and now spends his days working in a laboratory that tests animal products. He is haunted by the loss of his beloved cat, and spends most of his time trying to create a perfect replica of her using taxidermy.

The third character is Camille, played by David Wodehouse, a young man who has recently moved to Portland and is working as a garbage collector. Camille dreams of becoming a filmmaker and spends his free time shooting footage of the city's streets and alleys, observing the people and the objects that he finds there.

The three characters' lives intersect at various points in the movie, but more than anything, the film is an exploration of their emotional landscapes. Through their conversations with one another, their interactions with their mundane jobs, and their introspective moments, we see each of them grappling with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and hopelessness. Katrina feels stifled by the monotony of her job and her inability to form meaningful connections with other people. Eli is struggling to find a sense of purpose in his life now that he is no longer performing, and is haunted by a deep sense of loss. Camille is an outsider in the city, struggling to find his place and make sense of a world that often feels alienating.

Despite the melancholy tone of the film, Some Days are Better than Others is fascinating and compelling precisely because it is so grounded in the everyday lives of its characters. The movie is a celebration of small moments and observations, with McCormick's camera lingering over the details of Katrina's thrift store, Eli's laboratory, and the city's streets. The film's slow pace and quiet tone signal a meditative quality that elevates the story beyond simple realism and into the realm of poetic observation.

The film's cinematography is beautiful, with a muted color palette that reflects the characters' inner states. The soundtrack, which features music from James Mercer himself, as well as other indie bands, adds an ethereal quality to the film's already dreamlike mood.

In conclusion, Some Days are Better than Others is a quietly affecting and poignant film that offers an introspective look at the mundane lives of its characters. The film's slow pace and poetic approach demand patience and attention, but the reward is a moving and meditative meditation on the human experience.