Sometimes I Think About Dying is definitely not for everyone. The initial premise of director Rachel Lambert’s film is very slow and very hard to get into, and the film contains a heartwarming, at least for me, simplicity that won’t be as heartwarming for everyone. In the beginning, I had a very hard time becoming truly invested in Fran’s (played by Daisy Ridley) character, simply because she can be so aggravating, but, this was inevitably intentional, as it makes Fran’s development throughout the whole film so much more satisfying in the end.
Fran is undeniably a sad person. Every day she wakes up and goes to work, only to come home, relax with a plate of cottage cheese, after all, this is her favorite, and go to bed, only to start all over again the next day. This might sound very familiar simply because lots of people claim they are in a vicious cycle, called their life, and that’s so true, life can feel like a never-ending cycle that only repeats itself. This is where Fran starts when the film starts. She’s sad and not talkative, but when she meets a new coworker named Robert (played by Dave Merheje), the real Fran starts to break through, and we get to meet the silly and kind Fran that is so deeply hidden within her thick shell.
A problem that many people will have with this film is, funny enough, Fran herself. Daisy Ridley’s character isn’t given much of a backstory, or really anything to give Fran the extra spice of life she needed. It dabbles into Fran’s emotions most slightly, only leaving me hoping for more. This was very frustrating because having that extra backstory on Fran would’ve made this movie much better, but Fran’s sadness and melancholic feelings come without an explanation, which leads me to believe she is just lonely, and without a support system, whether that be from family or friends. What also led me to believe this is how happy Fran actually becomes when people acknowledge that she is actually there, which might be just a little hard considering that she seems like all she wants is to sit at her desk and continuously file Google spreadsheets. The funny thing is, a spreadsheet arguably began this relationship between Fran and Robert.
Director: Rachel Lambert
Cast: Daisy Ridley, Dave Merheje, Parvesh Cheena, Marcia DeBonis, Megan Stalter, Brittany O’Grady, Ayanna Berkshire
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic material, some language, and brief drug material)
Release Date: 1/26/24 – Limited, 3/12/24 – Internet
The heart of the film comes from Fran. Even with all the character’s imperfections, Fran is a hateable and loveable character. I found myself so aggravated with the way she responded and the things she would say. But those things make Fran who she is, and she becomes a better person throughout the runtime of the film. The relationship between Fran and Robert will be connectable on so many levels, because falling in love with someone can bring out the best and worst of everyone, and it surely brings out the best and worst of Fran. The way Fran progressed throughout the film is surely the standout, and the film’s relatability will make it watchable to audiences of people who work full time. Still, I can’t help but call this movie a less exciting and semi-depressing version of the hit TV show The Office.
Wyatt’s Takes 