I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel

I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel is a cinematic adaption of the book of the same name co-authored by David Shields and Caleb Powell. This experimental film, directed by James Franco, literally puts the book's creators in the spotlight, acting as the main characters and provoking our thoughts with their unusual personas.

In the movie, Franco adopts a unique directing style, juxtaposing life and art in a compelling and thought-provoking sequence of events. We are drawn into a captivating journey of the two protagonists and their sometimes harmonious, sometimes disjunctive, conversations on life's integral values.

The film plays out as a non-fictional narrative pushing the boundaries of traditional cinema. We witness Shields, an established author, professor, and film director, and Powell, a stay-at-home father and writer, who decide to take a four-day-long trip in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. Their adventure, held against the backdrop of the natural beauty of the terrain, provides an extraordinary setting for a dialogue that is meant to challenge our conceptions of the "ordinary."

As the drama unfolds, we see a deep, intellectual exploration of contrasts and opposing views: art vs life, theory vs practice, cynic vs optimist, and success vs failure to name a few. The conversational premise of the film, inspired by the televised debates of Gore Vidal and William F Buckley Jr., revolves around the theory that the contrast of ideas gives birth to truth.

While on their journey, the protagonists engage in several activities, such as painting, filming each other, and holding intense discussions that become the lifeblood of the film. Their conversations are inquisitive, philosophical, emotional, and even comical, as they argue about almost everything in a manner that brings both their differences and similarities to light. Their dialogue floats through topics such as education, family life, melancholia, suicide, depression, love, and passion, providing a compelling and raw exploration into different perspectives on life.

The characters periodically diverge from the main plot to re-create scripted vignettes from scenes in their past lives, adding another layer of richness to the movie. These sequences act as a symbolic mirror reflecting their contrasting lives—one filled with fame, success, depression, and melancholia and the other, a life filled with routine, family, love, happiness, and self-doubt.

The lead roles are played by the authors themselves – Shield and Powell, bringing in an aura of realism to the narrative. James Franco (the director), renowned for his expressive acting and versatile roles, also makes a cameo appearance. We witness a fascinating interaction between the director, actors, and the breathtaking landscape, resolute in their determination to blur the lines between art and life, scripted and improvised, serious and comedic, real and unreal.

"I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel," is not your typical movie. It's an avant-garde cinematic exploration that nudges the rigid templates of both filmmaking and storytelling. This film blurs the lines of genre, moving away from the realm of conventional narratives, and rather than engineering a traditionally satisfying end, it leaves the audience to draw their own conclusions.

The movie diligently explores the ambiguity of life, the contradictions within us, and the complex nature of human relationships. It will have you questioning, pondering, and laughing as you invest in the free-flowing narrative and draw inspiration from the beautiful landscape which acts as a canvas for the exceptionally poignant discourses.

In summary, "I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel" can be viewed as an unusual conversational experiment – a metaphysical journey encapsulating contrasting ideologies. It manages to be intellectual, entertaining, comical, and philosophical, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate the collision of art and life, appreciate deep intellectual debates, and enjoy the exploration of contrasting life philosophies. It's a discussion you surely will not want to miss.