Entanglement

The 2017 film, Entanglement, directed by Jason James and written by Jason Filiatrault, is a quirky and intriguing indie production that combines elements of romance, drama, and touch of existential philosophy. Thomas Middleditch, known for his role in “Silicon Valley”, gives a riveting performance as the movie’s main character, Ben Layten, a man navigating through a dense maze of emotional and mental health crises. Jess Weixler and Diana Bang offer incredible support with their honest performances, enhancing the overall character-driven storytelling.

Ben finds himself in the middle of an emotional breakdown after his marriage ends in divorce and he loses his job. The film begins with a botched suicide attempt, which sets the somber mood. However, the narrative then switches gears and moves towards an unlikely tale of redemption and self-discovery knit with elements of magical realism.

After the recovering, the main protagonist, Ben, is determined to make sense of his disjoint life. His journey to normal reveals a shocking family secret, a failed adoption attempt where his parents were very close to adopting a baby girl just before his birth. This revelation leaves Ben wondering if his life would have turned up differently if he did have a sibling. Intrigued by the idea of the existence of this 'almost sister', he becomes fixated on finding her.

Enter Hanna Weathers, played exquisitely by Jess Weixler, who steps into Ben's life just when he clearly needs a new perspective and possibly a new beginning. Her character, radiating a charming blend of eccentricity and mystery, significantly affects Ben's life and helps him cope with his mental struggles. His connection with Hanna extends beyond the normal and plunges into an uncanny association filled with romance, magical events, and quirkiness, thus changing Ben's life in unprecedented ways.

The narrative then takes us through a roller coaster ride of emotions, unexpected twists, and new beginnings. The film adds a magical realism touch, with paradoxes and impossibilities woven seamlessly into its reality. It is here where its title, “Entanglement,” truly comes into the light. The term, borrowed from quantum physics, talks about the interconnectedness of particles irrespective of distance, and metaphorically, the film presents the life of Ben Layten as an entangled mess of emotions, relationships, missed chances and new possibilities.

Director Jason James delivers 'Entanglement' with careful sensitivity, ensuring that it doesn’t lose its light-hearted nuances while dealing with topics of mental health and loneliness. At the same time, the underlying philosophical undertones about the nature of relationships, and the unique life lessons it imparts, makes this film more than an average romance flick. It ingeniously plays upon the concept of the multiplicity of life paths, destines, and how dramatically different life can be based on the decisions one makes, or in some cases, ones parents almost made.

Thomas Middleditch does an excellent job in embodying the character's despair and obsession while still managing to keep the essence of his character likable. His on-screen presence is mesmerizing and adds significant weight to the film’s premise. Meanwhile, Jess Weixler’s portrayal of Hanna adds a much-needed color and vibrancy to Ben’s grayscale life, and their dynamic performances beautifully balance the film's somber and exciting tones.

Overall, 'Entanglement' is a stimulating emotional journey that takes unforeseen paths to explore ideas about fate, destiny, and how a slight change can create dramatically different outcomes. Its contrasting themes of desolation and optimism, reality and magical realism, and logic and quantum entanglements are fascinating. This offbeat indie cinematic gem is bound to leave viewers pondering life’s intricacies and the implication of the choices we make, and almost make, long after the credits roll. It’s a film that effortlessly entangles itself into the viewer's contemplation.