This Is Your Death

4/10 - decent social commentary, but not one that I need to ever see again

This movie was so deep I need to watch something happy *puts nemo in dvd player

First, I am a big fan of Giancarlo Esposito who has been in many films as well as gained much notoriety as the Meth Dealing King in "Breaking Bad". Although I'm not sure, I believe this is his directorial debut in a feature length motion picture.

Without any spoilers, I will sum up why I thought his was a very well done and interesting film.

The premise: A reality show host witnesses two contestants get killed on live TV in a previous show he hosted. Fed up with mindless fake Television (aren't we all?) he formulates a "real" and fully transparent Isea for a show that has people wanting to commit suicide live on TV. The idea is, the network will put up $100,000 and the TV audience can match or donate as much to the surviving family members to better their lives.

Clearly, I'm sure this concept would break many laws in each and every state in the U.S. But, as is done in Hollywoodland, they address the legal aspects and find loopholes to allow this to be broadcast.

What I thought was very entertaining and thought provoking was the simple concept that Reality Television seems to be getting more and more perverse and it's not impossible to believe something of this sort and magnitude will eventually air and be watched by millions. This is not to say actual suicides will ever be televised. My point is, it seems television today has to go bigger and bolder to outdo one another to gain ratings.

The acting by all was way above par. The story line and plot simple enough but highly engaging. The concept very morbid but again, there is a quality of realism in its concept.

This is a very different story then the typical slop put out within the premise And done with a reality I thought was accurate. One caveat....again, I don't believe a show like this would ever be aired and those who would watch should have their heads examined. That said, I give it an 8/10 for originality and something entirely different.

Kudos Giancarlo!

Maybe I've watched this on the wrong day. Or possibly the right day. I have the closing credits still on, it's that raw. Just 10 hours ago I contemplated suicide. Not for the first time, but I had reasons. Strong reasons.

I didn't go through with it because of my family. Because of my future. But I've come home low, and obviously didn't tell my wife how close I came. So watching this... quite accidentally, actually. I didn't twig what it was about and how ironic it was until I was some way in.

It's helped. Helped me see that as down as you can get, it's such a final solution. I've always thought I've not gone through with it because the way I'd prefer to do it with a gun. Being English, I can't just walk into a store and buy one. I don't even know how to get one illegally - I guess I'm one of the good guys.

So as someone suicidal, this film totally resonates. Would I go on it? Quite possibly, yes. Not for the money, we're not in trouble. But because it legitimises the act. It makes it less personal, as I'm sure you'd feel a purpose to it. And suicide is about losing your purpose.

I know I'm not at that stage. Hopefully, I never will be. But this film, whilst I wouldn't say "it's saved my life" it's a help. Today of all days.

Thank you to all involved, if any of you ever read this.

I was primed for a cheap schocks, bad taste kind of movie and this was definitely more thoughtful and considered than that. What I couldn't get my head round for the entire running time (and what really dulled my enjoyment of the film) was how the host could at any point believe he was doing the show for the betterment of people (be they relatives/individuals/audience). It just wasn't a rational conclusion for a non- seriously mentally ill person to draw (as illustrated by the fact that everyone else in the movie thought the direct opposite). On a positive note I was impressed by the bombast of the ending even if it did get a little (more) ridiculous.