Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: ONE FOR THE ROAD [Sundance Film Festival 2021 - Virtual]
The texture of perspective depends on the person living it. Hope and dreams are rooted in an idea of what life should be. The inherent context of "One For The Road" [World Cinema Dramatic Competition], one of 2 opening night films at the virtual edition of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival is how the structure of mortality rings within a person. Most road movies per se have a certain structure but what sets this apart is the non linear fashion where it jumps back and forth depending who the story is following. The influence of producer Wong Kar Wai is perhaps most felt this way but the inclusion of many Western songs as a soundtrack infinitely make the film more global. Though much of the film takes places in Thailand, the themes are universal and the jump back and forth to time in New York City allude to a sense of fleeting love and loss.
"One For The Road" without giving too much away is a purely a metaphor but also an allusion to bar culture. Drinking doesn't motivate the movie but it examines this kind of gathering place as a jump point for connection. Boss is a free-wheeling playboy type and Aood is his best friend who calls him back to Thailand but the way their lives intersected in more complicated but yet believable. The relationship changes through visiting certain past girlfriends eventually leading to the crossroads with one. Revealing the consequences in reverse keeps the film taught while not moving into melodrama. The film never overplays it hand but its top notch production value and pacing (again owing to the soundtrack) helps boost what could be considered a long run time of 2 hours and 17 minutes. But the film never lingers too much because of the story it tells. While its resolution in certain ways wants to have its cake and eat it too, the story feels complete but also quite conducive to audience enjoyment. It is a joyful film in where, in other hands, could come off as depressing. "One For The Road" keeps its lifeline moving and it leaves the viewer wondering but also accepting of whatever path these two friends eventually end up and with who. A-
By Tim Wassberg
