James Sweeney’s new film, Twinless, sets the stage in Portland with an opening shot of the MAX train rumbling through an eerily empty restaurant.
This tranquil yet unsettling atmosphere foreshadows the film’s exploration of grief and connection.
As the narrative unfolds, the restaurant becomes a pivotal location, reminiscent of the Chinese spot in My Own Private Idaho, where characters confront their pain.
Here, the tranquility of the empty eatery gives way to the chaos of a fatal car accident that occurs off-screen, establishing the film’s deep concern with absence and loss.
Starring Dylan O’Brien as Roman, a young man navigating the sorrow of losing his twin brother, Rocky, Twinless intertwines dark humor with profound emotional themes.
Roman’s journey leads him to a support group for twins who have lost each other, where he grapples with his grief and seeks companionship, often overlooking warning signs in his quest for solace.
The tragic background of Rocky’s death remains unclear as Roman takes on his brother’s identity, working his job and living in his place.
This eerie mimicry signifies the struggle of embracing a life overshadowed by loss, setting the stage for a complex web of relationships.
Sweeney, who both wrote and directed Twinless, embraces the challenge of putting his characters through a range of emotional extremes.
His award-winning direction, recognized at the Seattle International Film Festival, is indicative of an emerging talent willing to delve into the messiness of human experience.
Initially, Roman’s character becomes intertwined with Dennis, played by Sweeney himself, as they bond over shared grief in the support group.
This seemingly innocuous friendship, characterized by mundane activities like grocery shopping and cleaning together, hints at deeper complexities as the plot thickens.
Despite sharing moments reminiscent of a typical dramedy, the narrative shifts as Sweeney masterfully unveils underlying tensions and deceptions, keeping viewers on edge.
The film’s structure relies heavily on careful planting of plot elements and their eventual payoffs, creating an undercurrent of impending collapse that could redefine the friendships involved.
Crafting a multi-layered character like Roman posed unique challenges for Sweeney, who initially questioned whether he had imbued the role with enough depth.
However, Dylan O’Brien’s portrayal helped to breathe life into the character, facilitating a deep connection that Sweeney, as a writer, had hoped for.
O’Brien’s performance in Twinless marks a significant departure from his previous roles, allowing him to explore a rich emotional range rarely seen in his past work.
While he has previously appeared in ensemble casts, the duality of portraying both Roman and Rocky offers O’Brien an opportunity to showcase his talent in a profound context.
The contrast between the characters of Rocky and Roman—both in personality and outlook—further highlights O’Brien’s abilities.
Sweeney’s deft editing allows audiences to appreciate the transformative journey O’Brien undertakes to embody both halves of a set of twins.
As Sweeney grapples with his own portrayal in the film, he reflects on the challenges posed during the development process, revealing the struggles of empathy and judgment inherent in creating relatable characters.
Despite numerous financiers expressing skepticism about the believability of his character, Sweeney remained committed to crafting a portrayal grounded in empathy and understanding.
Holding space for both grief and compassion, Twinless ultimately navigates the complexities of human relationships following tragedy.
The film’s culmination, which revisits the restaurant for a final, poignant twist, encapsulates the search for truth and forgiveness that permeates the narrative.
As viewers traverse through the emotional landscape of Twinless, they witness not just a story of loss, but a journey of self-discovery that resonates deeply with the experiences of grief and connection.
image source from：pdxmonthly
