Director: Charlie Kaufman
Starring: Jesse Plemons, Toni Collette and David Thewlis
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created movies that are as precious as David Thewlis. Since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Thewlis has become a British icon. Whether it’s cruel Nazi commanders, magical school professors or medieval warriors, Thewlis has played many strong characters. Arguably, Thewlis’ strength as an actor has always been strong presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supportive roles with limited screen-time. Through ability to create bold characters that are compelling, Thewlis has established legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his role as Lupin in the Harry Potter franchise, Thewlis has often excelled producing strong films in every genre. Throughout a long-lasting career, Thewlis has made several unforgettable movies which are absolutely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Thewlis and adore all movies that he has made in his career. However, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is without a doubt my favourite. Released back in 2020, Charlie Kaufman’s movie offered a powerful portrait of depressed women. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about depression. At centre of it all is an iconic performance by David Thewlis, who embodies the dad of a grieving woman. Ultimately, what makes “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” a bold masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most Charlie Kaufman movies that are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating period piece, there are countless strong reasons why “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is a movie that is worth seeing.
“I’m Thinking of Ending Things” tells the story of a woman that experiences misgivings about her boyfriend causing grieving. Jessie Buckley portrays a young woman which has dreams of gaining prosperity. The woman has always had a strong bond with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons), whom she adores dearly. However, the woman’s dreams are threatened when she meets her boyfriend’s parents in terror. Jake’s parents (David Thewlis and Toni Collette) are a bizarre family with a strange way of living in a world of fantasy. As she discovers eye-opening secrets about her boyfriend, the woman soon begins to question whether her life is coming to an end. Faced with a stressful dilemma, she is forced to question whether it’s possible for her to maintain strong relationships in an era that causes trauma.
Charlie Kaufman has always been fascinated with themes of depression. A strong American filmmaker, Kaufman has often made engaging movies about depressed couples which face disaster. His iconic movie “Adaptation” offered a powerful portrait of screenwriters that suffer from severe depression. With “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”, however, Kaufman crafted his first psychological drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of depressed women enduring adversity but he succeeded. Using breathtaking cinematography, Kaufman captures a depressed woman embarking on a journey. Inspired with Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia”, Kaufman uses point-of-view shots to capture hardships that depressed women in small towns go through. For instance, the POV shots enhance the parental encounters scene. During this memorable scene, the woman has her first ever meetings with the parents of her boyfriend causing tensions. Through stunning POV shots, Kaufman created a portrait of grief that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky to use in movies. As Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” suggested, POV shots enhance classic comic-book movies. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Kaufman captures tensions that depressed women in a crisis are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” that deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Kaufman deftly uses production design to capture the lives of women in doomed relationships which decline. Throughout the movie, Jake‘s parent’s home is a crucial setting that plays a role in capturing the lives of women which experience adversity. For instance, the set-design of the home plays a role in the dinner scene. During this engaging scene, Jake and his girlfriend have a dinner at his parent’s house. Through production design, Kaufman conveys women which face declines. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. Jay Wadley’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that women bear. Through strong production, Kaufman captures doomed women.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is a film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of women which endure a traumatic experience. For instance, the silence enhances the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jake bids emotional farewell to his girlfriend causing tension. Through silence, Kaufman creates a portrait of grief which audiences can relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use. As Mark Herman’s “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” did suggest clearly, silence enhances films about painful genocides. Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven” demonstrated that silence enhances medieval movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Kaufman captures lives of depressed women facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
David Thewlis delivers one of his best career performances as father. Thewlis first earned appreciation for playing magical professors in fantasy movies. With “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray the father of a depressed man facing adversity but he pulls it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Thewlis has often excelled at playing heroes enduring pressures, and “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” showcased his greatest strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures anxiety, grief and resentment of a parent which faces tension. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors which is working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for David Thewlis, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Jesse Plemons is powerful, bringing authority toward an anxious man stuck in doomed relationships facing adversity. Jessie Buckley is brilliant, and uses her expressions to capture the struggles of depressed woman facing tragedies. Lastly, Toni Collette merits appreciation. As a grieving mother, she brings heartfelt emotion towards the movie.
Finally, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” would earn appreciations of everyone for capturing women facing tensions. Unlike most Charlie Kaufman movies, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. The movie tackles strong themes including depression, mental health and parenting which will resonate with everyone. It delivers a meaningful message on mental health which would resonate amongst everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be highly familiar with Charlie Kaufman’s style to admire it. Therefore, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is one of those rare films about depression that everyone would adore.
Fans of David Thewlis would absolutely admire “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A spellbinding drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly ten years following the release of a groundbreaking arthouse drama about women that are stuck in a doomed romantic affair causing despair, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated British actor that has built an illustrious career through his abilities to portray compelling characters in movies about which audiences care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 