Entanglement

At first glance Entanglement seems to be a salvation romance, fully equipped with a depressed male lead seeking meaning in his existence, and his boundary lacking muse. The audience is invited to follow the film lackadaisically, watching as Ben Layton (Thomas Middleditch) recovers from his depressed, near death, state with the help of free spirit/petty criminal Hanna (Jess Weixler). Even the addition of responsible, over protective, neighbor Tabby (Diana Bang) checks off another box, seemingly rounding the romance with a love triangle. But if you close your mind while watching you may just miss an incredible movie.

Entanglement takes us into Ben’s life just as it passes into the eye of the storm. The aftermath of his recent divorce, his feeling of loss, they seem to climax in the opening as we watch Ben’s attempts to take his own life. Unsuccessful, and in recovery, Ben creates theories in an attempt to find the source of his depression. Surrounded by well meaning adults, Ben seems adrift, staying barely afloat with the help of his parents and concerned neighbor Tabby. That is until a chance encounter with a woman, that later reveals her to mean so much more.

The idea that Hanna may have been Ben’s sister if the stars aligned leads to introspective thought that opens up his character to the audience. His struggle to make a connection, any connection that would bind Ben to his life is the core of a story told so well that you almost gasp when you realize how much you missed. The twist makes Middleditch’s performance that much more worthy of praise when you realize the truth was there all along.

But it is not just Thomas Middleditch who earns his praise in Entanglement; Diana Bang as Ben’s voice of reason and secret admirer delivers some of the most poignant scenes in the movie. Tabby’s description of how true love should be midway through the film is done so emotionally, so beautifully, that you wonder why such words were never spoken before. Tabby is never simply a supporting character because of Bang’s fantastic performance.

Entanglement lives up to its name, entangling the audience in a great story, that midway through twists into a fantastic movie. Go watch it and get lost, you’ll enjoy the trip.

Screened at the San Diego International Film Festival

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