Republican Pictures' "This Evening" is released in Kalistan
Light Romantic Comedy follows heavy issues about loveSulari, Duchy of Suldanor
August 22, 5464Dolgavan actor Eduars Teicāns (Stefan) and Anantan actress Margurite Armstrong (Jennie) star in "This Evening"Republican Pictures' new romantic comedy "This Evening" was released this week to a warm fan response, but heavy critical acclaim. The romantic comedy stars Dolgavan Eduars Teicāns in the role of Stefan, an student on vacation to Suldanor and Margurite Armstrong, from Dulnerstaad as Jennie. The two meet on a train headed south toward Sulari, and strike up a conversation. Over the course of the movie, they explore various aspects of philosophy, literature, art, and love, while sharing a memorable night together. But for the two lovers, time is ticking: Stefan must catch a flight back to Dolgava, and Jennie is about to enlist in the NSP, having left college.
The film was the first from director Yuri Brenard, who was previously known for his work in music video. "I wanted to tell the story of how love starts," said Brenard. "It can begin in a random chance encounter on a moving train. Had either one sat in a different car, had either one been late one morning, had either one changed their plans at the last minute, or had Jennie not looked up when she did, these two would never have met. But when they did, click, you know? The links were all in the right place at the right time, a time that might never have happened, and will likely never happen again. They have one night, and then in the morning, they will go their separate ways? I wanted to explore what they would do in that situation, and see if we couldn't find, maybe, one might say, the key to the code." When asked if he cracked the code, Brenard smiled, "No, I don't think we did."
The film opened and was considered a profitable film for Republican, both in matinees and in normal evening showing. Overnight response was cooler, as audiences tended to gravitate toward "White Light", the new RF concert film from Republican. "I think the movie is one of the more cerebral films out there right now," said moviegoer Tanya Westerburg. "I mean, it is very romantic; the chemistry between the two actors was certainly there. But its more or less an extended conversation, one long date. And then I mean, when they part at the airport, that was both very sad, and at the same time, like I know what that feels like. It is not a movie you want to get stoned and go watch. So I saw it at 9pm, and then switched at midnight to "White Light." Other viewers agreed about the chemistry and the 'steaminess' of the attraction between the two actors (though the film contains no nudity at all.) "Definitely a couples movie," said Cathy DuGard of Kaliburg. "We'll be rewatching it at home, with some wine."
Critics were far more effusive about the film. "The acting was competent," said critic Tim Jorgenson. "What I think will mark this movie forever is not the acting: I mean, it is realism, with a slight touch of the magical, but that is conveyed in the subject matter, and the way they say things to one another. Director Brenard very clearly understands subtext, and conveys so much emotion with every exchange." Once, the couple has a disagreement, and while Jennie attempts to keep the conversation fun and light, Stefan says something that is very deliberately hurtful. "You can see like a black cloud cross her face in that moment," said Jorgenson. "End of Act I- The initial shine is off the romance. Now how will he repair the damage he's done? The two actors really handled the make-up in Act II brilliantly, and clearly were both very comfortable with each other and with the Director."
Other critics similarly praised both the realism of the film and the subject matter. "I feel like there were so many references in this movie to this idea or that philosophy," said Florence MacKaye, "that i learned more about ethics and aesthetics, and literature than I did in four years of college theater. The film makes you both think and feel, and at the end, you realize you have been watching a moving expressionist painting the whole time." Critics gave the film high marks, earning the film a solid 9.8/10 on Movietone, the Movie Aggregator website. "This is certainly the thinking person's rom-com", said MacKaye. "Heavy on the romance, but just enough comedy in it to remind you that love itself, and falling in love is supposed to be fun. And painful, and hopeful, and stupid, and something to look forward to, even if you have decided to swear off love."
"This Evening" will play in Kalistani theaters through the beginning of September, and then it is expected to go to streaming. Overnights might get another crack at it, as well in mid-September.