The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby is not a typical romantic film. Ned Benson, its writer and director decided to make two films about a couple who have recently lost their baby boy, one from the man's (James McAvoy) point of view and one from the woman's (Jessica Chastain). So if you were informed -as were we- you would watch both films one after the other: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby : Him and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby : Her.
We see Conor, a man who used to be in a happy relationship with Eleanor until something happened to change them both. Later, but not too later so it can't be considered a spoiler, we learn that they have lost their 2-month baby boy and that has damaged their relationship beyond repair. Eleanor decides to disappear because she cannot stay in their house any longer and thus, she leaves Connor alone.
Him follows Conor as he tries to make things work without his beloved wife. He not only has to deal with his failed marriage -a marriage that's actually not failed but it is more in a state of hypnosis- but he also has to face the fact that his restaurant will soon go bankrupt. He tries to get in touch with Eleanor but all he finds is a wall. Eleanor doesn't want to be found. We see a man who's lost everything but makes great efforts to keep it together and stay sane.
In Her we finally get to see the woman's point of view. Eleanor is not as incomprehensible as Connor sees her. She has just lost a baby, she feels like her husband hasn't been equally affected by the loss and for that she decides to leave and try to find herself before she tries once more to reconnect with her man who see loves very much. Her journey towards acceptance is a bit bigger but her sadness is also more profound.
The amazing thing about these two films is that each one presents one side of the story as a man or a woman would see it and it is pretty realistic. Some scenes are even differently staged and the actors are wearing different clothes as if the characters don't remember the events and the things they said the same way. Each one feels hurt in their own way but they can't seem to put it into words and explain it to the other.
And that's truly realistic. Even if you are in a long-term relationship with someone, you cannot be 100% certain about what it's going on in your significant other's mind. Here we get to see a really healthy couple who communicate and have one -apparently- great relationship, and even they cannot seem to step into each other's shoes. McAvoy and Chastain are exceptional in their roles and they manage to get their feelings across subtly without exaggerating at all. You really believe in their relationship and their chemistry is always there even though they don't have many scenes together.
One more thing though: even if you want to, you cannot watch only Him or Her and not watch the other one too. They might be projected as two films but in reality they are one with two parts that complete each other... just like the couple. You cannot imagine one without the other and that is saying something.
And that's truly realistic. Even if you are in a long-term relationship with someone, you cannot be 100% certain about what it's going on in your significant other's mind. Here we get to see a really healthy couple who communicate and have one -apparently- great relationship, and even they cannot seem to step into each other's shoes. McAvoy and Chastain are exceptional in their roles and they manage to get their feelings across subtly without exaggerating at all. You really believe in their relationship and their chemistry is always there even though they don't have many scenes together.
One more thing though: even if you want to, you cannot watch only Him or Her and not watch the other one too. They might be projected as two films but in reality they are one with two parts that complete each other... just like the couple. You cannot imagine one without the other and that is saying something.
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