David desperately tries to keep his family of six together during a separation from his wife. They both agree to see other people but David struggles to grapple with his wife’s new relationship.
Chuck says:
There’s a quiet beauty as well as a palpable undercurrent of dread running through director Robert Machoian’s The Killing of Two Lovers, a major, welcomed surprise that is as emotionally powerful as its budget is small. The director’s stripped down approach – real locations, long takes, sincere improvistation – results in a poignant, haunting piece of cinema verite as we witness one man’s desperate attempt to save the family that’s being torn away from him.
David (Clayne Crawford) is a good man. He works hard, though there seems very little opportunity in the small Utah town he lives in, is a devoted husband and a dedicated father. However, his wife Nikki (Sepidah Moafi) is having second thoughts and has asked for a trial seperation, something David reluctantly agrees to. That she puts forth the notion that they should be able to see other people during this time doesn’t bode well.
There is a slice-of-life quality to the film that is arresting and immersive, a bracing palette cleanser for all of the over-produced, bombastic Hollywood product that we are subjected to. Long takes that allow conversations to develop organically, quiet moments in which we are allowed to get a feel for the barren environment and the unaffected performances provide a sense of realism to the film and the emotions within it, allowing us to connect with these characters in ways most movies do not.
A stand out that deserves to be notice, “Lovers” is the sort of film that stays with you because it stays true to its aesthetic convictions but also due to its lack of artifice. Machoian’s only intention is to move us and he does so with grace and skill.
4 Stars
Pam says: An excerpt from Pam’s review:
There’s a chill in the air with a hushed silence; tragedy seemingly about to occur as David (Clayne Crawford) hovers over a peaceful couple in bed sleeping. Distraught isn’t a strong enough word to describe this disheveled young man on the verge of murder. A noise in the background helps him switch gears and he leaves, gun in hand, walking along the cold, desolate street in a very small town in Utah to his father’s home where he attempts to interact as usual.
This type of story could easily forget the need for a narrative arc, but Machoian is a master at surprising us with the pivotal interactions that lead David down one decisive path. “The Killing of Two Lovers” is sheer artistry in storytelling, acting, and directing although a somewhat ambiguous ending may leave some viewers needing more.
To read the review in its entirety, go to http://reelhonestreviews.com/the-killing-of-two-lovers/
3 1/2 Stars
