Simple Like Silver

This movie is kind of hypnotizing because it puts you in a trance as the three characters intersect as they go about their day after life-changing events. They illuminate the existential architecture of each character after they each experience life as they never knew they would after they discover new parts of themselves. The stories each unravel slowly before they overlap, so I don't want to spoil any of the payoffs.

The director navigates the emotional landscape of the film by presenting life as it is for many people rather than how we all want it to be. These slice-of-life films are usually sentimental wish-fulfillment, whereas this is a much more realistic reflection of life as we know illustrated with lush black and white aesthetics.

I became aware of this film when looking at Cristina Marsillach's (Dario Argento's OPERA, 1987) filmography. SIMPLE LIKE SILVER is her first performance since 1994. This film shows the intersection of three characters: a young woman the morning after an online date goes bad, a terminally-ill international traveler making the most of her last days, and a preteen boy aspiring to be a novelist. There is no dialogue. The entire story is told in voice-over of each character's thoughts. SIMPLE is beautifully shot in black and white and is like a visual poem. Many of the scenes could be paintings. This "mystery" brings to mind films such as BLOW UP and particularly PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK where there more questions than answers. It was an enjoyable 70 minutes and certainly worth the rental fee on Prime.

Simple Like Silver attempts to deliver an artsy and introspective experience but ultimately falls flat due to its lack of narrative coherence and weak character development. While the film clearly strives for a unique, minimalist aesthetic, it often feels more like an exercise in pretension rather than a fully realized story. The pacing is painfully slow, and the sparse dialogue leaves viewers disconnected from the characters, making it hard to invest emotionally in their journey.

Visually, the film does have a few striking moments, but they are overshadowed by awkward transitions and amateurish cinematography. The director seems to prioritize abstract visuals over crafting a compelling plot, which leaves the film feeling disjointed and difficult to follow. The lack of clarity in both the story and the characters' motivations make it hard to discern what the film is even trying to say. The bio says he attended film school. Was this his final project?

The sound design is another weak point, with an overuse of ambient noise that feels more like filler than an intentional choice. The score, while pleasant, often feels out of place or overly repetitive, further detracting from the overall atmosphere.

Simple Like Silver is a film that could have benefited from stronger editing and more focused direction. What could have been an intriguing art-house piece instead comes across as a frustrating and tedious viewing experience. For those who enjoy experimental films, there may be something to appreciate, but for the average viewer, it feels like a missed opportunity and a struggle to get through.