This World, Then The Fireworks

Set against the backdrop of a seemingly tranquil suburban landscape, This World, Then The Fireworks is a layered, thunderously intense drama explored through the lives of its complex and morally estranged characters. The movie stars an impeccably haunted Billy Zane, a cruelly seductive Gina Gershon and a hard-edged Christian Durango in a dance of destruction.

This World, Then The Fireworks takes its unsettling premise from a short story written by Jim Thompson, a renowned American author. The tale involves two deeply disturbed twins, Marty and Carol, brought to life by Billy Zane and Gina Gershon, respectively. The number of scarring experiences they had with the adults around them in their childhood manifests in various psychopathic tendencies and a distorted perception of morality as they grow up. Set in the 1950s, the movie is a rich, shifting tapestry of the ugliness that often lurks below the surface of the American dream.

The film begins with Marty returning to his hometown after getting involved in a scandalous incident while working as a Chicago crime reporter. If you think this was the only scandal he was ever caught in, you'd be mistaken. Marty is no stranger to scandal, growing up with a history of shocking family secrets. His return brings him back into contact with his twin sister Carol, played by Gina Gershon. Gershon's off-kilter erotic appeal makes Carol a character too intriguing to ignore. She is as dysfunctional as her brother, and their relationship progresses in a way that's unhealthily close and marred with insinuations and unspoken desires.

Christian Durango provides an unforgettable performance as Detective Loach, a tough but wounded police officer working in the same town. Loach's character is another integral thread in the woven narrative, providing a stark contrast and a worthy adversary to the perverse lifestyle of Marty and Carol.

With every character in the narrative, a darker shade reveals itself. The characters are morally grey and often blur the lines between right and wrong. They all present a warped reflection of the society in which they inhabit, one filled with more darkness than implied by the well-manicured lawns and pastel-colored houses. The movie brilliantly pieced together, uses this representation to mirror the profound alienation, corruption, and desperation prevalent during the period.

Billy Zane delivers a standout performance as the deeply flawed, charming yet predatory Marty. His acting skill is complemented by the outstanding Gina Gershon, who demonstrates a bewitching complexity in her role as Carol. Christian Durango is impressively assertive as detective Loach, evoking sympathy and aversion in equal measures. Director Michael Oblowitz manages to extract the best from each actor and translate it into an impactful narrative that grips the audience till the very end.

The camera work and visuals of This World, Then The Fireworks too deserve a mention. The film is visually compelling, with shots that skillfully depict the era. Cinematographer Tom Priestley Jr.’s unique choice of color and composition captures the period setting and the story's underlying tone with a deft hand. The film's muted colour palette, along with the minimalistic yet impactful sets, brings to life the movie's brilliant storytelling.

The movie’s narrative unfolds in a tight-knit way, filled with intricate details and a steady crescendo leading up to the climax. The screenplay subtly introduces us to the corrupt and depraved world these characters are part of, while offering viewers an unconventional narrative, complete with suspense, drama, and deep-rooted desires.

On the whole, This World, Then The Fireworks transcends the typical norms of period crime dramas. Its depiction of the flawed human condition through the perspective of two profoundly disturbed characters sets the film apart. Each character delivers an unforgettable performance that leaves a lasting impact long after the end credits. This World, Then The Fireworks is a darkly compelling piece of cinema that explores unsettling themes in a stark and compelling manner, inviting viewers to look beyond the surface of polished middle-class lives to uncover hidden secrets and shocking truths. In doing so, the film becomes more than a noir crime drama; it becomes a powerful commentary on the human condition and the capacity for corruption and desire deeply embedded in the American dream.