Fran is the sort of person neighbors would describe to reporters as quiet and kept to themselves after the discovery of a basement full of dead bodies. Robert is the guy people are just drawn to, a decent man who you feel has been a part of your friend group for years even though you just met him. In typical films, these two would have a meet cute and Fran would ultimately transform from a colorless caterpillar into a stunning butterfly. A happily ever after would follow. The End. But, thankfully, Sometimes I Think About Dying is anything but typical.
Fran (Daisy Ridley) works in a nondescript office that could be anywhere in the world at any time in modern history. There’s nothing that distinguishes it from a million other offices around the globe.
Fran seems to be the human equivalent of this generic office.
Her clothing appears to have been selected to further allow her to disappear into the walls. In fact, her browns and beiges even complement the faded water stain on the ceiling above her desk. She’s all but invisible. Is that by choice? That’s an interesting question that deserves to be dissected at length after watching the film. Your answer will depend on how much you can relate to her circumstances.
But back to what we know. Fran’s an introvert, an outsider…someone who doesn’t make an impact on anyone she meets. It’s not surprising when she reveals her favorite food is cottage cheese; the boring food fits her.
Fran observes but isn’t observant. After years of working with the same people in a small office, she knows nothing more than surface-level details about her coworkers. However, this can’t be blamed on her fellow employees. They’re a friendly bunch, and you get the feeling they’ve attempted to draw Fran into conversations but have concluded she simply isn’t interested in engaging with them.
A retirement leaves a position open, and Robert (Dave Merheje) joins the company. Robert can energize a room just by walking into it. Fran’s interest is sparked by this gregarious man who puts off a positive vibe and has an engaging personality. She normally tunes out the office buzz and never interacts, but there’s something about Robert that piques Fran’s interest.
Fran’s input into conversations is usually limited to one or two words. That’s okay when she’s with Robert because he’s a master of small talk. Robert’s also a decent man, and, for the most part, he takes a gentle approach to getting Fran to talk. She’s not just reluctant to open up but fiercely determined to withhold any personal details. Even when seated on Robert’s couch, she curves her shoulders in in such a way you can almost see the protective shell she’s constructed around herself.
Fran’s like a visitor from another planet who’s selected Robert as the human specimen she’s chosen to study. Fran and Robert feel worlds apart, yet there’s this undeniable, unexplainable connection that’s fascinating to witness develop.
Director Rachel Lambert (In the Radiant City, Mom Jovi) said she wanted to tell this particular story because she identified with the feeling of isolation and the struggle to connect. Yet it isn’t necessary to be able to place yourself in Fran’s shoes to be drawn in by Sometimes I Think About Dying. Fran’s a sympathetic figure, even in her most standoffish state, and Daisy Ridley’s outstanding performance makes it impossible not to empathize with this emotionally challenged young woman.
Sometimes I Think About Dying is beautifully shot, scored, and acted. The story never feels rushed or false, and the ending is justified. Justified? Yes. Not tidy, not happily ever after, just justified and real.
GRADE: B
Sometimes I Think About Dying had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Directed By: Rachel Lambert
Written By: Kevin Armento, Stefanie Abel Horowitz & Katy Wright-Mead
Cast: Daisy Ridley, Dave Merheje, Parvesh Cheena, Marcia Debonis, Meg Stalter, and Brittany O’Grady
Running Time: 91 minutes
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