Bereave

Bereave is a meticulously woven narrative of intense drama and profound emotion. Released in 2015, it stars Malcolm McDowell, Jane Seymour, and Keith Carradine. The film showcases striking performances and delves into profound aspects of human life such as love, time, regret, and the fragility of our existence. This movie, with its gripping portrayal of a series of unfathomable circumstances, is a multi-layered paradox that poses more questions than it answers.

McDowell, known for his diverse roles in the film industry, takes on the character of Garvey, a man burdened with a secret that threatens to overshadow his life. He projects a heightened persona and brings a vibrating energy, perfectly fitting into the melancholy character confronting his own complex feelings about mortality. His sublime performance helps us understand the character and sympathizes with his fears, his regrets, and moments of joy.

Opposite McDowell is Jane Seymour, who impeccably plays Evelyn, Garvey's wife. Seymour, with her extraordinary prowess, portrays a woman thrown into a whirlpool of confusion, hurt, and despair when her husband mysteriously disappears. As Evelyn, she embodies the angst of a strong yet helpless woman who is trying to grasp the nature of her husband's sudden disappearance while battling her feelings of abandonment and betrayal.

Keith Carradine’s character adds another layer to this intricately constructed narrative. Carradine delivers a solid performance as a supporting character, contributing significantly to the nuances of the main characters' relationships and the course of the story.

Set predominantly in Los Angeles, Bereave highlights the sentimental views of the city with insightful storytelling and thoughtful cinematography. The film beautifully demonstrates LA as a city that's always on the move, mirroring the chaotic emotions that our protagonists experience.

The script by Evangelos and George Giovanis, who also directed the film, is just as complex and multi-layered as the plot. They manage to present a theme that is relatable to all of us on some level – the inevitability of mortality. Bereave takes an introspective approach to studying how we interpret our lives and relationships when confronted with our mortality. Such themes naturally lend themselves to deep, philosophical conversations that are a significant part of the film.

We witness Garvey's existential crisis triggered by a realization that time is passing too fast and life is fleeting. This introspection leads to the exploration of raw human emotions, extraordinary circumstances, and several instances of self-discovery. Bereave offers a profound insight into our universally shared destiny — death and the fear related to it.

The cinematography captures the essence of the narrative, with strategic uses of light and darkness representing the internal turmoil within the characters. The movie envelopes viewers with its serene and contemplative panorama, adding depth to the narrative.

The film’s score, composed by Kurt Oldman, is a compelling accompaniment to the intense drama unfurling on screen. The music augments the film's overall emotional depth, enhancing certain elements and themes within the narrative.

In summation, Bereave is a movie that subtly forces its viewers to confront the most human of all predicaments: love and mortality. The film combines an intensely emotional storyline with a provocative exploration of the human psyche in a situation of crisis. The gravitas-filled performances of its lead characters and the superb crafting of the narrative make it a film which stays with its audience long after they've left the theater. It’s an emotional arm-wrestler that will take you through a roller-coaster ride of feelings and leave you contemplating the effects of time and the inevitability of death. An ideal watch for viewers who appreciate depth in their cinema, Bereave is dramatic yet understated, intense yet delicate, and philosophical yet incredibly human.