Disconnect (Henry-Alex Rubin, 2012): USA

Reviewed by Jacob Dekker.  Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival 2013.

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Digital technologies have taken a central role in the modern world.  There are very few people who are not connected to the rest of the world through their cell phones, social networking sites, and other forms of digital communication.  Henry Alex Rubin’s narrative debut Disconnect (2012) starring Jason Bateman and Paula Patton explores the negative effects our rapidly evolving community can have on people, and how this lack of face-to-face communications leave some people disconnected with the rest of the world.  Rubin wrestles with the question:  Can digital communications ever replace face-to-face interactions?

The narrative of the film is similar to that of Crash (Paul Haggis, 2004).  The film consists three main interconnected plots that are loosely connected.  All three of these arcs deal with slightly different issues related to technological dependence.  Jason Bateman tries to reconnect with his son and family when things take a turn for the worse, Paula Patton follows her husband (Alexander Skarsgard) on a wild goose chase to find their identity thief, and Andrea Riseborough tries to connect with a male webcam stripper.

Some of these stories were stronger and more fleshed out than others, but for the most part the film is very engaging, climactic, and well-paced.  And thanks to the solid performances by the entire cast not once did I find myself at a loss of interest.  The main draw for most people and probably the most well known actor is Jason Bateman.  At first it was a little disorienting seeing him in a more serious role, but he pulls it off beautifully and convincingly.  However, I found the standout performance  to be young Colin Ford.  Despite being a bully he manages to get the audience emotionally invested in his character without relying too much on cliques one would expect to find in a role similar to his.

The cinematography and editing is something that should also not go unnoticed.  Ken Seng (cinematographer) did a great job behind the camera.  His organic frame in frame shots do a great job of making the subject and viewer feel isolated and trapped in the world that Henry-Alex Rubin has created.  The three way cross cutting between the protagonists is also masterfully done.  Keeping a plot engaging while juggling three loosely related stories is no easy feat and Lee Percy pulls it off with finesse.

The film was very powerful and emotional.  For better or worse it made me reflect on my use and dependence of digital technologies and communications.  Even though this is not the kind of film you will want to watch over and over again, due to some heavy subject matter, it is definitely one you should not miss.

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Published:
01.31.13 / 9am
Category:
Films, Santa Barbara Film Festival 2013