The Drama
review by Bobby Blakey
I loved director Kristoffer Borgli’s Nicolas Cage led film Dream Scenario, so was interested in his latest film The Drama. The trailer never did much for me, but the inclusion of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, who also star together in Dune Part III and the Odyssey this year, had me more intrigued. Could this film bring something different to romantic comedy drama, or will it be a relationship not worth fighting for?
The Drama follows a happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. In addition to Zendaya and Pattinson, this film co-stars Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, and Hailey Gates.
I knew going in from the trailers that this was going to be a chaotic romance, but it does not prepare you for the heft of the story and issues in any way. The story starts out normal with two people meeting in an awkward fashion before becoming that loving couple and leading towards planning their wedding and forever lives together. All of this is entertaining and through some montages is told well before the bombshell revelation that changes everything.
This simple scene of friends talking about the worst thing they have ever done opens dark revelations, bitter feelings, trust issues and true-life circumstances that test every relationship in the film. It’s the kind of discussion that will affect everyone differently, but also the kind that makes you wonder how you would react to learning this information. Per usual there is a back story that brings things more into focus and could have mended some of the fences, but bad
decisions and hard feelings just keeping it getting worse.
Pattinson and Zendaya are both fantastic here. He brings an awkward persona to this livable guy who is trying to do the right thing but has zero idea how to handle this situation. Zendaya is a stronger presence but her own struggles to move forward keep it heavy and she carries it to perfection. The supporting cast are all good as well with each of them bringing their own drama to the bigger issue in ways that could divide audiences into who they sympathize with.
This is not your usual date night film love story. This is a heavy dark true life love story that goes in directions that could be triggering to some and just smack others out of left field in the face. I found myself fully invested and loved the unexpected direction it goes that helps it to stand out as something more than just their romance.
This film won’t work for everyone but decide for yourself and check out The Drama when it hits Blu-ray on July 7th from A24 and Alliance Entertainment.