There had been a lot of discourse about the photos from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson filming in New York last year that ended up becoming The Drama, a new A24 feature that became April's most curious choice amid a bloated lead-up to the summer movie season. Some of us are concerned this may be an award push for Zendaya. Much of the film carries a lot of weight, aside from what looks like a budding romance between Emma and Charlie, but it is indeed a dark comedy; the comedy is debatable, in my opinion, with two specific messages muddled together.
What I think was unexpected, which can come across as jarring for some viewers, is that The Drama very much relies on the fact that conflicting views on a controversial opinion can affect relationships. I think that mentioning that in this review will already change the perception of this film in general (if you haven't seen it and are here to read my take on it), but it is very hard to review this film without at least acknowledging that a majority of the script dwells on this political take.
Of course, this opinion falls between the couple and two other people who are aware of it. It speaks mostly to what kind of character Emma, Zendaya's character, comes off as, psychopathic or sympathetic, which I think is the main conflict for the other characters, especially Charlie, succumbing to the debate. The script comes off as more of an unraveling of reactions and opinions than as a genuine engagement with the main topic. It also handles a resolution that goes hand in hand with the main conflict, of a specific way of seeing things, which is empathy.
This is an expectation, something I think you can expect when being vulnerable with a loved one, and the idea of being judged and/or accepted in society, but this is a specific perspective on what that interaction can look like. I am just wondering if this was the way to handle it. I am still unclear as to why the choices made were the choices considered. I understood the sentiment, but what are we trying to say here?
Whatever is being said, director and writer, Kristoffer Borgli, had a certain vision, especially when it came to the points of view, focusing heavily on what Emma and Charlie's unraveling of thoughts looked like that was refreshing, and might have an inkling on what fear and overthinking looked like when you have expressed an opinion or reacted poorly and you are in lost in a domino effect of what could happen rather than what would happen. There is a specific sequence Borgli portrays in how Charlie handles the idea that, by marrying Emma, he also feels responsible for the young girl she once was, and that sequence does not feel good after the recent allegations.
This is more of a dark comedy, and it is only proven true in certain scenes, as there are heavy explorations most of the time. There are scenes that come off as funny, but with the context in mind, it becomes hard to laugh.
And all of the turmoil was well acted by the cast. Other than Rue, this might be Zendaya's most effective role. I understand her approach to roles these days; it is extremely bold to tackle a characterization like this, but she manages it so well, translating it into a character who wants to be defined not only by her past. Pattinson is, for the first time, donning his British accent, and it is nice to see what kind of roles he has been gravitating towards, especially with this choice. Not to say this is his best role, but he complements Zendaya well enough to let her carry the spotlight, even though he is the more serious actor compared to her.
I am still unsure what the main intention of the movie was, but it does hone in the themes of forgiveness that might the film's only fantastical element, which can come off as a spoiler, but again, very hard to consider not talking about, and does foreshadow a sense of hope, especially at a time like this with conflicts like this involved. Those who do consider watching The Drama, be mentally prepared for it is a rollercoaster of emotions.
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