Film Discussion #1: Descent (2007)

My friend Jessie and I are going to exchange movies neither of us have seen before and I'll be posting here our e-mail discussions about the movies. I hope you enjoy these dialogues:

Jessie:

it was an obviously dark film, not sure which of the two rape scenes i had a harder time watching really. Rape is always a terrible crime and whenever you watch a film about it, it usually plays out much like this, i don't want ot make light of the act and aftermath itself, but the plot i kind of felt was retread, not necessarily how she carried on after but just the overall tone and self-deprecation of herself afterwards. I wondered how she maintained her lifestyle of drugs and promiscous sex yet still kept her job and her grades up? Also, one thing i don't think was very clear was the guy, he's a very charming dude and then there's this other side to him, a rapist, a cheat, a loser, but what are the qualities of this guy that turned him into a such a violent atrocity during the rape scene and then a kind of dumb slackoff in the next scene, his ego is the big factor but I thought it was poor characterization. Overall, can't say i would recommend this to anyone else, even being a fan of Rosario, i wasn't too enthralled with her performance, i know it's supposed to be uncomfortable, but it's even more so than that: i wasn't really attached to anyone in the film at all, i think more dialogue or character scenes for her would have helped the viewer grow more attached to her as a person instead of just scene after scene of her degrading behavior and her thinking back on it during work. so that's my 2 cents, what did you think?

Brian:

i can see a lot of what you're saying and where you are coming from.. - i think, ultimately, it is a flawed film.. - its basically told in three acts: introduction/rape, her venture into the realm of sexual violence/drugs, and lastly, her revenge.. - i think you covered a lot of the ground in regards to what the film does poorly.. - you mentioned perhaps having more character-related scenes, although, after watching the two deleted scenes, i actually liked her character less.. - they definitely deserved to be on the cutting room floor.. - i felt the second act was the hardest to find good in.. - in terms of story, i wasn't entirely clear on her objectives/motivations, and in terms of filmmaking.. it felt hurried and i got emotionally detached in it.. - the stuff at the clothing store all felt superficial and not particularly well laid out..

things i liked.. - at first, there were moments, even alone in my apartment that i felt awkward watching.. - but, after a day or two, i could reflect and there were some things i did enjoy.. - the scene where she's in the bathroom looking in the mirror.. imitating Adrian.. trying to give herself that false self-confidence.. understanding the ramifications of power/control.. - i also felt, while the third act is the hardest to watch (at times) it also has in my opinion the most rewarding pieces of cinema.. - the best part (for me) of the film is when Jared goes to meet her.. - the facade of toughness tarnishes as vulnerability begins to seep through.. his faking non-embarrassment as he stands naked.. stark.. unsure.. - i especially liked when Maya called him out on lying about his braggadocios football tales.. - she says, "you didn't score a touchdown" and that small moment where internally he realizes he's been had but outwardly he stumbles just a bit but replies attempting assuredness "I did"..

Jared, overall, i felt was the most interesting character.. - his narcissism masking his weakness.. - walks through the hallway chewing sunflower seeds confidently, but we see in the locker room after football practice, a tubby, out of shape guy easily manhandles him a la a little brother.. - the things he was saying why he raped her.. - in terms of psychology, i was fascinated by the words chosen and their roots.. - what had happened to him before college to turn him into such a monster?

you're right, this wasn't Rosario's best, her moments of candidness and reserved superiority at the party where some of her better character moments.. - when she turned to the dark side, so to speak, i found her character less and less relatable/understandable.. - watching the special features, its clear she felt strongly and passionately about the project, going so far as stepping up to produce it herself to ensure it getting made.. - my overall thoughts on the film are tiptoeing on the line.. i couldn't give it a full-fledged recommendation.. there's too much they didn't get right.. which is a shame as it had great potential as a bold piece..

Jessie:

oh that's interesting, i wasn't able to watch the deleted scenes so i wasn't aware of that part.

okay i shouldn't be all negative, interesting things for me were her as a teacher's assistant and being a test proctor, it was the only glimpse into the shiver of life she seemingly left behind, as we see her graduate with indifference, yet she still retains that connection but maybe that was part of the setup to luring him in, although how would she know he would cheat? I also liked the locker room tussle part, but i wasn't too sure how it played out, like were those two friends, but he did seem embarrassed by the action. Also liked the long walking shot of him, which plays into him being alone with himself, his thoughts and actions. You can see that he is a loner, no friends are around, his complete attention is given to Rosario, no other women in his life, no one talking to him at the party, and afterwards, he's on the football team but apparently not very good, as you mentioned, she follows the team and outs him, which he tries to hide. They are some interesting factors that play into his character now that I look at it more deeply, think you may be onto something.

My problem with her role is that you wondered, was this really her all along? was this who she wanted to be/or was, like when she's having intercourse with two diff. people, she is happy, seemingly, and even pleased thinking of it, even in her gregarious junkie looking state (which i'm surprised an uppity clothing place like that hired her, as she mostly looks like the walking dead) but I guess the film didn't have the same effect on me, as I haven't really been thinking about it, or what it was trying to say. There is a usually a role reversal scene like near what happens at the end of the film in other pieces like this and almost always the heroine comes out of it with her revenge, but never really going back to their old life, which I wish we could have seen a least a moment afterwards as to what happens now. Thought the DJ was interesting, i mean, did he and Rosario sleep together in some scenes, thought i saw them in the club together, or was he just homosexual and if so, does that mean he would willingly rape another man, shouldn't there be more to it than that? It was a hard film to watch but ultimately I think what leaves me feeling void from it is my lack of connection to her and what had become of her after it, despite the terrible tragedy of the event.

Brian:

i think Adrian was bi-sexual.. - i recall a scene in the club where Maya glimpses him standing with his hand on a girl's head while she's blowing him.. - i think, overall, in closing, we can agree that at its best there are some rare moments of interest and character development.. - but overall its a flawed film with some major holes.. namely in the depiction (and lack thereof) of Maya.. - as you asked, more or less, what happens next? - for Maya? for Jared? for us? the last one isn't so hard to answer.. we walk away from the film feeling moderately disturbed and left with more questions instead of growth or gained knowledge..