Wakefield

Wakefield is a psychological drama film released in 2016, directed by Robin Swicord. The movie casts Bryan Cranston, celebrated for his role in "Breaking Bad," in the lead character of Howard Wakefield. Jennifer Garner, well-known for her roles in "Alias" and "13 Going on 30," plays Diana, Wakefield’s wife. The film also features Victoria Bruno in the role of their daughter, Emily Wakefield.

Wakefield is an intense and thought-provoking exploration of self-alienation and human nature. The film is based on an apropos short story by E. L. Doctorow, which in turn draws inspiration from a Nathaniel Hawthorne tale bearing a similar title – "Wakefield." The story provides the ground for a deep psychological dive into the mind of one man, who deliberately chooses a life of introspection, living on the outskirts of his own existence and society.

The movie kicks off with the protagonist, Howard Wakefield, a successful lawyer, living the typical suburban life. He is a handsome, self-assured, and somewhat egocentric Manhattan lawyer who deals with legal cases involving intellectual property. His life appears pretty ordinary to an outsider: a loving wife, two beautiful daughters, a big house in the suburbs, and a stable job. However, this seemingly perfect life is about to undergo a drastic change.

One day, fatally tired after a tough day at work, ambushed by a power outage and conned by a delayed train, Howard impulsively decides to hide out in the attic of his detached garage. He finds comfort in this self-imposed isolation, observing the world outside through a small window. From the confinement of his attic, he indulges in voyeuristic exploration as he familiarizes himself with the altered dynamics of his deserted household and neighborhood.

Bryan Cranston’s character, Howard, demonstrates a rich assortment of emotions as he transitions from the man he was, to exploring a new side of himself hidden from society - a man living on the fringes, a silent spectator to the bustle of life. The movie unfolds as Howard gets entangled more into his newfound taste for solitude, battling inner demons and revisiting uncomfortable memories. He starts questioning the existence he portrayed and lived, and whether his disappearance has significantly impacted his family's life.

Jennifer Garner perfectly complements Bryan Cranston’s craft, playing the not-so-oblivious wife. Her performance subtly articulates a woman who is initially alarmed by her husband's disappearance but gradually adapts to her new reality. She effectively portrays Diana Wakefield's untold struggles, her evolution from despair to resilience, and finally, a sense of liberation. Victoria Bruno, who plays their daughter, Emily, also does justice to her role, displaying a range of emotions from confusion to acceptance of her father's unexplained absence.

Director Robin Swicord uses the visual storytelling of Wakefield to explore one man's curiosity-catalyzed journey into existential self-examination. The sole setting of the attic is a metaphorical prison and paradise, which Howard voluntarily chooses to indulge his desire for detachment and inward introspection. The film uses these constraints deftly to examine the complexity of contemporary life, dwelling into the territories of societal norms, self-identity, and our ever-persistent need for personal space.

Cinematographically, the film adopts a dark and subtle color palette to portray the simplistic yet erratic life of its protagonist. Andrei Bowden Schwartz's cinematography excellently marries the light and shadows to emphasize Wakefield's confinement, solitude, personal introspection, and unraveled chaos in his seemingly perfect life.

Wakefield is an exploration of the human psyche that questions the accepted norms of existence, personal identity, and societal expectations. It is driven by an intriguing lead character who isolates himself from the outside world, pushing the viewer to speculate on human behavior patterns, our understanding of normalcy, and the shades of morality.

All this and more make Wakefield a must-watch film for lovers of intense psychological dramas, character-driven plots, and bold, unabashed storytelling. It serves as a testament to Robin Swicord's adept direction, the impeccable interpretation of E. L. Doctorow's story, and the commendable performances put forth by Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Garner, and the rest of the cast.