in brief: Fran (Daisy Ridley) finds satisfaction in doing her mundane office job well, even though she doesn’t connect with her colleagues. when Robert (Dave Merheje) joins the team he invites Fran out, although really getting to know her proves challenging.
for me: the bbfc warning about mental health and suicide had me more than a little trepidatious, but i had paid my money having seen the trailer and knowing full well that Rey was not going to be as optimistic in this galaxy… Sometimes I Think About Dying is interesting because it isn’t actually as bleak as it initially seems. with its coastal port setting, lack of anything interesting going on, and collection of quirky characters it feels like the sort of film a McDonagh might have come up with, grey weather and all. i’d actually argue with the bbfc, because to me Fran doesn’t come across as suicidal or despairing, or even that sad. as the title suggests, she isn’t planning to die or obsessing over her fate, and there is no deep-seated pain driving her towards oblivion: she just thinks about dying sometimes, in the same neutral, detached way that she approaches much of life. she’s alone, but seemingly not lonely. she doesn’t have much, do much, or want much, and she hasn’t spent her days aching to be included or longing for love. she’s idling, and that might in fact be due to trauma, or medication, or any number of external factors, but as far as the film shows us, it seems to just be ‘Fran’. Ridley has improved as an actor through the first part of her career, and gives her most mature, empathic performance to date, ably supported by some slightly familiar faces and a great feature debut by Lebanese-Canadian stand-up Merheje. like last year’s Alice, Darling, i have a feeling this is going to be one of those films that no-one else sees but that i’ll always treasure, and in the long run i’m ok with that.
mvp: kudos all round for a lovely and moving film, but Dabney Morris‘ score really stood out to me, soundtracking Fran’s emotions and swinging between avant garde soundscapes and lush romantic suites. the film is very still and patient, and Morris resists the urge to set the pace, allowing the character work to lead his compositions.
verdict: can someone tell hollywood that the mentally ill aren’t always psychopaths? Sometimes I Think About Dying is much sweeter and more precious than its title implies. a hidden gem that’s worth finding.
director Rachel Lambert // writers Stefanie Abel Horowitz, Kevin Armento and Katy Wright-Mead (based on a play written by Kevin Armento) // released 19/04/24
onedottoomany 