Dan:
What would happen if an old man and an old women in Central Park escape a rain shower by going into one of the small restaurants and agree to share the one remaining table.
They strike a deal, since they never saw each other before and would never see each other again. They decide to speak the absolute truth about how they felt about their lives, their relationships, and their desires.
The weather improves. They, walk they sit, they observe. But they talk and talk and talk. There are flash backs.
And at the end they tentatively shake hands…then hug… and go their separate ways.
I guarantee the above would lose a fortune because no one would want to watch!!! It would strike to close to home. But it is a fun concept and I share it with you just for the pleasure of the idea.
My point: When did we ever feel free to talk the truth about how we really feel to anyone….to anyone…to anyone.
Robert
Robert:
Nice idea, but it’s been done.
There was a very successful French film, about 20 years ago with a similar premise.
And right now, in theaters, is “Before Midnight,” which is the 3rd in a successful trilogy of films about a couple who meet briefly and do exactly what you describe about below, at three different points in their lives. “Before Midnight” is currently doing strong business in limited release!
Your problem is you’re only looking at the mainstream releases, and not seeing the strong art house stuff, which is having a renaissance thanks to the multitude of new small theaters and Video on demand, which often goes day and date with theatrical releases.
Dan
Before agreeing to speak the absolute truth each one should present the condensed, idealized version of their respective life.
Perhaps there is never an explicit agreement, only a gradual peeling away of the layers of rationalization as they press each other for greater detail or point out contradictions.
No need for flashbacks. The drama lies in the gradual unravelling of layer upon layer of rationalizations and self-deceptions.