Waking up early, Lucas (Tim Roth) starts his drive to a cemetery, quickly stopping for fuel and a hot coffee along the way. Meanwhile, Edith (Trine Dyrholm) calls her workplace, claiming she is unwell at the start of her day before riding her bike to the cemetery. Lucas arrives first and takes time to wander around while finishing his coffee. It isn’t long before he encounters Edith. As they begin to talk, it becomes clear that there is an awkward tension between them, hinting at a shared complicated and tragic past.
Through casual conversation, we learn that Lucas and Edith now face a difficult decision regarding the burial of their only son, who is currently at the cemetery. Once upon a time, Lucas and Edith were married but have not seen each other in over ten years. As they wait for a key staff member to arrive, Lucas and Edith engage in a deep conversation that touches on their past, present, and future.
Poison is a heavy drama film. It features extensive dialogue, giving viewers the impression that they are watching a stage play brought to life. The film is directed by Désirée Nosbusch, who has only one previous credit, the 2014 film Succès Fox.
As a film, Poison presents a hard-hitting premise and a deep storyline. The main characters’ pasts adds significant weight to the narrative, especially as they discuss their son. Through the dialogue, we gain a greater understanding of the characters, which I found both fulfilling and appreciated. Rather than just reminiscing about the good old days, the focus primarily remains on the present and the potential outcomes for their future. While the dialogue is excellent and the conversations provided valuable insights into the characters, the conversations often ended similarly, with one character feeling hurt or offended and walking away. The characters then enter a new location, resume the conversation, or engage in a different line.
I appreciated the performance by both actors, as they effectively carried the entire film. Tim Roth delivered a slightly better performance, with his character exhibiting greater likability and a solid on-screen presence. The visuals are also a significant strength. I found both the locations and the visual clarity to be highly enjoyable.
Overall, if you enjoy drama films with only a pair of actors carrying the entire duration like a stage play, Poison is a film to add to your radar. The storyline itself is, in fact, quite heavy and dramatic. While the story is vague to begin with, thanks to large portions of transparent dialogue, viewers become well-informed and invested in the lives of these two leads. Visually, this film is terrific, as is the primary location of a quiet cemetery. The performances are excellent, with Tim Roth delivering a better on-screen mixture of drama and emotion. As for disappointments, sadly, the film’s structure is repetitive, and the finale didn’t leave a measurable impact.
Posion (2024) is Now Available during The British Film Festival. For more information and session times, click the link here: https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/
FILM SCORE: 6.0/10
Published: 5th November 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden
CONNECT WITH PETER WALKDEN:
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
@walkdenentertainment / @walkdenpublicity
FOLLOW US ON LETTERBOXD:
@Peter_Walkden
THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
0 Comments