This film provided an insightful, compelling examination of the psychological abyss that exists in the space between what we have and what we desire.
The movie begins with a husband and wife (Graham and Andrea) moving into an old house. There are signs early on that all is not well with their relationship, but nothing earthshaking...Just a subtle disconnect, missing passion. This portrayal proves to be a strength of "My Wife and My Dead Wife" throughout the film...It is the little absences that can tear most destructively at the fabric of a relationship, and this is something which the movie captures with great skill.
Into the void in Graham's life steps the Dead Wife. We first see her when Graham discovers pictures of her in an old music box. She seems to bring to Graham all those things that he longs for, but lacks. The Dead Wife, for Graham, is like a drug. She offers an escape from his meaningless existence, but at the ultimate price. Interestingly, the film leaves the question open as to whether or not the Dead Wife even exists. But one thing is clear, as Graham becomes more involved with the Dead Wife his ability to function in the outside world becomes increasingly impaired.
Also, as Graham becomes closer to the Dead Wife, she digs her hooks in deeper and it becomes increasingly evident that she may not be a benign presence after all.
I found the movie increasingly gripping as Graham spiraled downward at an ever quickening pace. And although I anticipated the ending (which was impressively shot)it still felt like a blow. This was primarily because over the course of the film I genuinely cared about the characters. I also appreciated the fact that the movie did not shy away from a dark ending and leaves it to the audience to decide whether or not the Dead Wife was real or just a creation of Graham's fevered mind.
This was a well done, thought provoking film.
The movie begins with a husband and wife (Graham and Andrea) moving into an old house. There are signs early on that all is not well with their relationship, but nothing earthshaking...Just a subtle disconnect, missing passion. This portrayal proves to be a strength of "My Wife and My Dead Wife" throughout the film...It is the little absences that can tear most destructively at the fabric of a relationship, and this is something which the movie captures with great skill.
Into the void in Graham's life steps the Dead Wife. We first see her when Graham discovers pictures of her in an old music box. She seems to bring to Graham all those things that he longs for, but lacks. The Dead Wife, for Graham, is like a drug. She offers an escape from his meaningless existence, but at the ultimate price. Interestingly, the film leaves the question open as to whether or not the Dead Wife even exists. But one thing is clear, as Graham becomes more involved with the Dead Wife his ability to function in the outside world becomes increasingly impaired.
Also, as Graham becomes closer to the Dead Wife, she digs her hooks in deeper and it becomes increasingly evident that she may not be a benign presence after all.
I found the movie increasingly gripping as Graham spiraled downward at an ever quickening pace. And although I anticipated the ending (which was impressively shot)it still felt like a blow. This was primarily because over the course of the film I genuinely cared about the characters. I also appreciated the fact that the movie did not shy away from a dark ending and leaves it to the audience to decide whether or not the Dead Wife was real or just a creation of Graham's fevered mind.
This was a well done, thought provoking film.