Stay

Stay is a compelling movie released in 2013 under the combined efforts of director Wiebke von Carolsfeld and writer, Aislinn Hunter. The movie stars Aidan Quinn, Taylor Schilling, and Gina Moxley in leading roles, offering riveting performances in a story that unravels human emotions, relationships, personal growth, and profound existential questions.

In the heart of the plot is Dermot, a contemplative former professor of Archaeology (Aidan Quinn), residing in a small rustic town of Ireland where life ebbs and flows with tender simplicity. Dermot's unsophisticated and somewhat routine Irish life is met with a stark contrast of the vibrant and buzzing city world of his half-Canadian, half-Irish girlfriend, Abbey (Taylor Schilling). Abbey, a significantly younger woman, belongs to Montreal and strives to infuse this exotic diasporic diversity into Dermot's organised universe.

Taylor Schilling (well-known from her role in Orange Is the New Black), with her expressive versatility, breathes life into Abbey, a woman challenged by cultural diversity, emotional complexities, personal ambitions and an untimely pregnancy. Gina Moxley brilliantly personifies the elderly neighbour, Deirdre, who offers her wisdom, humour and regional flavor to the narrative, along with her gnawing loneliness and isolation.

In Stay, the rustic landscapes of Ireland, dotted with ancient artefacts, blend effortlessly with the contemporary city hustles of Canada, creating the perfect backdrop for exploring the dynamics of an unconventional relationship. In this beautiful scenery, the film delicately navigates the fears, dilemmas, and aspirations of two people bound together by circumstances, exploring how their cultures intertwine, and how they reconstruct their identities in the wake of unexpected news.

Aidan Quinn, as Dermot, flourishes in his portrayal of a man who is suddenly forced to confront his unwelcoming past and an uncertain future, for which he is not ready. His nuanced performance vividly captures Dermot's emotional expanse and complexity as he grapples with his standoffish tendencies, wrangled emotions, and the looming trajectory of fatherhood. Simultaneously, Taylor Schilling, as Abbey, commences a personal journey brimming with self-realisation, daunting choices, emotional turbulence, and the endeavour to find a 'home,' both literally and metaphorically.

Each character, whether it's the protagonists or the well-etched supporting roles, adds a unique layer to the plot, colouring the narrative with their distinct personalities, dreams, disappointments and hope. As they navigate their lives structured around internal and external conflicts, their realities intersect and diverge, creating an intricate web of relations that highlight human vulnerability and strength, love and loss.

As the story unfurls, Stay takes its viewers on an emotional roller-coaster replete with life-changing decisions, which are compounded by Abbey's unanticipated pregnancy. The film delves deep into maternal instincts, the concept of childlessness, and the power to choose one's path - often leading to some poignant and reflective cinematic moments. It probes the very essence of what makes a home, a family, and confronts the multifaceted kaleidoscope of relationships, bringing to bear the complicated journey of belonging, adapting, and surviving in a world of disparities and similarities.

Stay thrives on the power of raw human emotions, subtle interactions, and a narrative so profoundly intricate yet beautifully woven that the viewers are bound to reflect on their personal spheres of relationships and choices. Its storytelling is complemented by luxurious cinematography that gracefully captures the idyllic countryside of Ireland, juxtaposed with the cosmopolitan vistas of Montreal, heightening the stark, yet harmonizing, contrast of two cultures, two lives tangled in the web of fate.

Stay is more than just a movie; it's a meditation on life and relationships, a heartfelt examination of cross-cultural connections, and a deep delve into personal transformations. The movie goes beyond run-of-the-mill romance to explore territories of self-discovery and personal evolution against the backdrop of a strained relationship. As such, it transfixes the viewer both visually and narratively, leaving a trail of thoughtful musings and intimate emotional experiences in its wake. Emotionally charged and aesthetically pleasing, watching Stay is an evocative journey well worth taking.