A comedy born from characters’ charm and wit rather than ‘punchlines’ and ‘jokes’, ‘The Dan Thing’ is the saddest comedy about loss and grief that you’ll ever see.
Take the grief stricken bender from ‘Husbands’ (1970, John Cassavetes) and imagine it transported to today’s Lake District. Three friends, who’ve known each other forever, come together to deal with the suicide of their closest pal, Dan.
It’s ‘Withnail and I’ (1987, Bruce Robinson) for the age of Instagram and Air BnB. Global homogenisation eats in to the quaint, idiosyncratic village that our characters have known, loved and visited for over 10 years. The subtly changing environment is manifest of the larger changes within their own lives that they must face by the films conclusion.
Like ‘Manchester By The Sea’ (2016, Kenneth Lonergan), cause and effect slowly unravel without overt exposition of our characters’ shared history. Devastating and life-changing events are underscored by moments of black comedy.
The film making ethos of 70’s American Independent Cinema, redressed for a modern audience. Exploring universal truths and the idea of portraying something ‘real’ on film.
Like ‘Mikey and Nicky’ (1976, Elaine May) we explore denial, male ego, emotional ineloquence and friendships that go on even after you’ve stopped liking each other.
LOGLINE
Following the unexpected death of their friend, three men set off on their annual weekend away in an effort to cling to normality.
SYNOPSIS
Following the unexpected suicide of their friend, three men set off on their annual weekend away in an effort to cling to normality.
Now, together for the first time since Dan's funeral, and without him there to tie them together, the remaining friends slowly realise that their bond isn’t as solid as it once was.
Chris has fallen deeply in to a depession since Dan’s death. Worried about Chris, James and Liam hatch a plan to help him deal with his grief. However, their selfishness and unwillingness to recognise their own issues throw the weekend in to turmoil.
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