Zendaya and Robert Pattinson anchor The Drama, a tense A24 relationship thriller that turns pre-wedding doubt into something far darker and more uncomfortable.
Anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows there is always some kind of drama that either precedes or happens on the big day. Some brides turn into some other kind of creature that no one recognizes but has been nicknamed, "Bridezilla," and some grooms don't turn up to the wedding at all! Mothers of the bride and/or groom can be a nightmare all and of themselves, and some wedding guests get so intoxicated that they behave poorly, sometimes even before the reception has begun. But what if you find out something about your soon-to-be spouse right before your nuptials that changes the way you view them? Writer/director Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) gives audiences a glimpse into that world with his latest film, The Drama.
Charlie (Robert Pattinson; The Batman) met Emma (Zendaya; The Dune Trilogy) in a coffee shop and pretended to have read the book she was reading in order to ask her out on a date. Fast forward two years, and the couple are planning to get married in a week. One night, while out with their friends Rachel (Alana Haim; Licorice Pizza) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie; Jurassic World: Dominion), they reveal the worst thing they have ever done. However, when Emma discloses that she planned a school shooting when she was in middle school, the others are horrified. Suddenly things between Emma and Charlie become tense, with neither of them sure if they will actually make it to the altar.
If Zendaya and Pattinson weren't already stars, these roles certainly would have been career-making. These two have the perfect chemistry to portray a couple in love, and individually they play out their angst and anxiety perfectly. Haim and Athie blend nicely with these two stars without overshadowing them. Together, the four are well cast, creating the dynamic which sets up the scenario that makes the movie what it is.
Borgli knows how to set the scene both literally and figuratively that brings the two leads to the crescendo of their story. He is excellent at building the tension but amps it up even further just when the audience is looking for a break in the drama playing out on screen. The viewer becomes increasingly uncomfortable, leading to the climactic moment during their wedding when Charlie loses it as he is giving his speech in front of his and Emma's families and friends.
The 4K Digipack is presented in Dolby Vision and video quality is excellent, even during the evening and rainy scenes. The black levels are well represented with layers and hues. The rest of the film has a grey tone that gives the movie a dreary and overcast feeling. Details are sharp and clean throughout the film.
The Dolby Atmos Audio is an excellent accompaniment to the video quality, with the score lying just below the dialogue. The ambient sounds are somewhat of an afterthought, but overall the sound quality is crisp.
The Digipack comes with the 4K disc and six collectible postcards illustrated by Kristina Tzekova. There are also a handful of extras, some of which are more informative than others. The extras include Audio Commentary with Costume Designer Katina Danabiss, Production Designer Zosia MacKenzie, and Co-editor Joshua Raymond Lee, Making-of-Featurette, Wardrobe and Camera Test w/audio commentary, "Relationship Hotline" Promo, and "Charlie and Emma" Wedding Video.
The Drama is a tense and, at times, morose film that can be difficult to watch. It also can be divisive depending on your views regarding gun control and mass shootings in this country. Regardless, it is beautifully acted and directed, and the screenplay is deliberate and serious.
Grade: B+
