Excellent performances from co-stars in not-a-rom-com will lead to divisive perspectives
A comedy can sometimes be described as tragedy plus time. A24’s latest produced motion picture from the mind of Norwegian Kristoffer Borglis, “The Drama,” encapsulates that idea by forcing the viewer to question what if a comedy is a tragedy unfolding in real time.
“The Drama” largely takes place during the week leading up to the wedding of Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), with common flashbacks to show viewers milestones of Charlie and Emma’s seemingly perfect relationship, with the first being their uneasy first meeting at a coffee shop. Charlie first notices Emma reading her book alone, and to stage a conversation, he quickly googles the book in an attempt to seem knowledgeable and interesting. Charlie is so focused on blurting out knowledge of the book that he doesn’t realize that she is deaf in one ear and blasting music in the other. Somehow, the perfect-looking couple kicked it off despite the initial awkwardness.
The pacing of “The Drama” was efficient and ideal, with a run time of 105 minutes. There was little to no fluff and it was altogether pretty engaging.
Emma and Charlie are ridiculously ideal; the two are beautiful, young and successful in their niche jobs–Charlie is a museum curator, and Emma works as an editor for a publishing company–making enough money to enjoy life in their leafy studio apartment in Boston.
Their perfect love story comes to a halt just days before their wedding when Emma and Charlie are sampling menu options with married friends Mike and Rachel (Mamoudou Athie and Alana Haim) when alcohol-impaired Rachel suggests the newlyweds participate in the premarital ritual of sharing the worst thing they have ever done. Between their laughter and another glass of wine, they begin going around the table sharing their answers. Things are innocuous until a tipsy Emma blurts out her secret, which shocks everyone at the table and jolts the movie into a dark, somewhat comedic register. It’s hard to avoid the irony of Emma’s “worst thing” being delivered by Zendaya, a beautiful African American woman who is on top of Hollywood. But Borgli fails to ever address the undertones of race played in this film, not only in her secret but also in her mixed marriage.
Trying to beat around the bush, Emma’s “worst thing” is a very controversial topic, especially in our current society, which may cause some viewers to feel uncomfortable, even too much for them to enjoy the film. A24’s marketing strategies were to the best of their ability for a movie like this, where it is almost impossible to say anything without saying everything.
The spotlight now shines on Charlie as he starts to slowly spiral into chaos and question who Emma truly is and what other red flags he may have missed.
Both Zendaya and Pattinson execute terrific performances throughout, and their chemistry is definitely noticeable as they embark upon two upcoming releases together (The Odyssey and Dune Part Three). You can really feel for Emma, even when she is painted as the villain.
“The Drama” takes on a modern American epidemic and American culture from the eyes of someone not from America – and it shows how devastating it is. For what “The Drama” may lack in its depth and creativity in writing, it makes up for with its charisma and outstanding actor performances, with precise editing that creates an effect that is tense but not overwhelming.
