Departures Review: A Darkly Comic Exploration of Post-Breakup Spirals
This review analyzes the film Departures, a darkly comic drama co-written and co-directed by Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan. The narrative follows Benji, played by Eyre-Morgan, a lonely thirtysomething man struggling to find genuine connection after a series of failed relationships. Following a painful breakup with Jake, a closeted personal trainer portrayed by David Tag, Benji descends into a self-destructive cycle of alcohol, drugs, and casual hookups to numb his emotional pain. A weekend trip to Amsterdam, a location significant to his past relationship with Jake, further exacerbates his turmoil. The film employs a nonlinear narrative and dynamic elliptical editing to blur the lines between Benji’s current spiral and his memories, reflecting the disorienting impact of heartbreak. While the movie tackles heavy themes such as body image, family rejection, and toxic masculinity, it avoids excessive sentimentality through dark humor and a vibrant visual style. Although the reliance on voiceover narration occasionally hinders momentum and leads to over-exposition, the strong chemistry between the leads and the raw honesty of the internal monologue make it a thoughtful exploration of identity, intimacy, and the quest for love after loss.
Wire timeline
Departures Review: A Darkly Comic Exploration of Post-Breakup Spirals
This review analyzes the film Departures, a darkly comic drama co-written and co-directed by Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan. The narrative follows Benji, played by Eyre-Morgan, a lonely thirtysomething man struggling to find genuine connection after a series of failed relationships. Following a painful breakup with Jake, a closeted personal trainer portrayed by David Tag, Benji descends into a self-destructive cycle of alcohol, drugs, and casual hookups to numb his emotional pain. A weekend trip to Amsterdam, a location significant to his past relationship with Jake, further exacerbates his turmoil. The film employs a nonlinear narrative and dynamic elliptical editing to blur the lines between Benji’s current spiral and his memories, reflecting the disorienting impact of heartbreak. While the movie tackles heavy themes such as body image, family rejection, and toxic masculinity, it avoids excessive sentimentality through dark humor and a vibrant visual style. Although the reliance on voiceover narration occasionally hinders momentum and leads to over-exposition, the strong chemistry between the leads and the raw honesty of the internal monologue make it a thoughtful exploration of identity, intimacy, and the quest for love after loss.
The Guardian