The career of dramatist Robert is in steep decline – his last play was canceled after a two-week run. On top of that he is unable to decide what to do about an old love affair that is once again gaining steam. Finally, his neighbor Gus is able to shed some light on many issues when he and Robert spend the evening together in a highly unexpected situation. The picture captures the protagonists at fragile moments in their lives, when long suppressed truths come to light and there is no longer any uncertainty concerning the decisions they have made. The characters’ secrets aren’t revealed immediately: the film works with ambiguity and a contemplative mood heightened by the contrast between the presence of religious figures and the spiritual emptiness we feel around the protagonists. The movie, thematizing the similarity of real life dramas and those on paper, demonstrates that theater always reveals something about those who act in it. And silent contemplation after the drama ends is sometimes better than applauding and simply forgetting. –KVIFF
