Disconnect Review

Number 687 on the top 1000 films of all time is the psychological drama Disconnect. 

Disconnect tells three interrelating stories that centre around the theme of disconnection. The first story sees the Boyd family led by Rich Boyd (Jason Bateman) a high powered lawyer too busy to see his troubled son Ben Boyd (Jonah Bobo.) The second story follows journalist Nina (Andrea Riseborough) and her efforts to free cam model Kyle (Max Thierot) from his sexual slavery. Finally we see couple Derek (Alexander Skaarsgaard) and Cindy (Paula Patton) deal with the after effects of having their credit cards stolen. 

It's been a while since I've watched a film too upsetting to watch again or a film that had me utterly engrossed from start to finish. But Disconnect certainly fit the bill. It was quiet but loud. Subtle but intense. The characters certainly weren't the most likeable but damn were they real. And they were certainly flawed. 

We can look at neglectful father Rich who after feeling guilty for being blind to his son's emotional turmoil, goes on a one man mission to uncover the truth. Jason Bateman might be best known for his comedy roles but he does just as well in dramatic performances.

Andrea Riseborough was just as good as the misguided Nina who after interviewing Kyle promises to rescue him from his sexual slavery. But he doesn't want to be rescued. In the end she makes it worse for everybody involved. You can lead a horse to water...

But there wasn't a weak link in the cast. All the actors, even the child ones, brought their troubled characters to life. 

What struck me the most about the film was its ending. Yes I could have done without the cheesy slow-motion but none of the storylines are properly resolved. There are no happily ever afters. In one sense, it's a downbeat and disappointing ending. At the same point although the characters begin broken and disconnected, by the end they are much more connected to each other. This seemingly paradoxical ending was very interesting. 

The characters may have been very disconnected from one another but I was very connected to this film.