The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A couple struggles with grief after a loss, so they deal with it by being sad and occasionally running away from restaurants.

🍿 The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Happiness and Sudden Tragedy

The film opens with Conor and Eleanor deeply in love, sharing a playful moment of running out on a restaurant bill. This joy is abruptly contrasted with Eleanor’s attempted suicide, leaving viewers questioning what has led to such a drastic shift. The film hints at underlying emotional turmoil but initially holds back key details, creating intrigue.

Separate Paths and Coping Mechanisms

Following the incident, Eleanor retreats to her parents’ home, seeking solace and a fresh start by enrolling in college. Conor, meanwhile, struggles to keep his restaurant afloat and grapples with the emotional distance that has grown between him and Eleanor. Both characters navigate their grief and confusion in isolation, highlighting the challenges of coping with loss as individuals and as a couple.

Attempts at Reconciliation and Acceptance

Conor tries to reconnect with Eleanor, leading to strained encounters and painful realizations. Eleanor grapples with her past while Connor faces the prospect of his restaurant failing. Despite moments of intimacy and understanding, the film suggests that their shared trauma has fundamentally altered their relationship, making a return to their previous state impossible.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Conor Ludlow (James McAvoy): A struggling restaurant owner grappling with grief and trying to reconnect with his estranged wife.
• Eleanor Rigby (Jessica Chastain): A grieving academic who distances herself from her husband after a tragic loss, seeking solace and a new identity.
• Professor Friedman (Viola Davis): Eleanor’s professor who offers unconventional wisdom and support during Eleanor’s difficult time.
• Stuart (Bill Hader): Conor’s close friend and chef, providing comic relief and grounded perspective amidst Conor’s struggles.
• Spencer Ludlow (Ciarán Hinds): Conor’s successful but emotionally distant father, offering a contrasting view of life and relationships.
• Julian Rigby (William Hurt): Eleanor’s father, a psychology professor who tries to offer guidance and support to his daughter.
• Katy Rigby (Jess Weixler): Eleanor’s sister, offering a relatable and supportive presence as Eleanor navigates her grief and rediscovery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Julian Rigby: “Tragedy is a foreign country. We don’t know how to talk to the natives.” – Eleanor’s father explains the difficulty people have relating to those experiencing deep grief.
• Eleanor Rigby: “We will never get to where we were.” – Eleanor explains to Connor that they can never go back to the relationship they had before their loss.
• Conor Ludlow: “Where was that?” – Conor’s response after Eleanor states they will never be the same.
• Eleanor Rigby: “Some place good.” – Eleanor’s answer to where they were before, emphasizing the loss of their happiness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $587,774
• Worldwide Gross: $1,448,076

💥 The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of indie dramas, I found ‘The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them’ to be both beautiful and heartbreaking. Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy delivered powerful performances that really pulled me into their characters’ pain. The scenes where they reminisced about happier times were especially poignant, making the present-day struggles even more impactful. I especially liked the subtle ending, which felt realistic and avoided a tidy resolution. Definitely a movie that stays with you for days.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in relationship studies”
  • “Those who appreciate strong performances by Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films that explore complex emotions”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide attempt”
  • “Grief and loss”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Film Review Daily: “A raw and honest portrayal of grief. Performances from McAvoy and Chastain shine as they navigate their broken relationship. Its emotional depth and nuanced characters make this a compelling watch, though its pacing can be slow at times. A poignant exploration of love, loss, and the possibility of healing.
• Deadline Film + TV: “Benson assembles veterans and talented actor, one of the best seen this year. Ultimately The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them hits the right chords. Enriched in emotion and raw intensity, Benson crafts a loving story that will stand as one of the best told in some time.

Audience Reactions

The raw and emotional performances of the lead actors made the story feel incredibly real and relatable.: Viewers were touched by the honest depiction of grief and the complexities of a relationship after a significant loss.

I feel like a re-edit made for the release of the movie cut into the film’s artistic merit: The Him & Her versions are better for understanding each character in the movie

Overall Consensus: A deeply emotional drama praised for its strong performances, but some viewers find the pacing slow and the narrative disjointed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The project was initially conceived as two separate films, ‘Him’ and ‘Her,’ presenting the story from each character’s perspective. ‘Them’ is a combination of these two.”
• “Director Ned Benson and Jessica Chastain knew each other for over a decade before making the film, having previously dated and lived together.”
• “The film’s title and Eleanor’s name are inspired by The Beatles’ song ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ reflecting the themes of loneliness and isolation.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them?

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential streaming options or cable on-demand availability. Some platforms may offer a free trial period.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them, you might like these similar films:

• Blue Valentine (2010): It depicts the unraveling of a relationship with raw and emotional intensity.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Deals with grief and its impact on relationships, focusing on character-driven storytelling.
• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979): Explores the dissolution of a marriage and the emotional fallout, with a focus on the impact on family.
• Marriage Story (2019): Examines a dissolving marriage with sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the complexities of separation.

🛒 The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them Related Products

• The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him/Her – Double Feature [Blu-ray]: Experience the complete story from both Conor and Eleanor’s perspectives with this Blu-ray double feature. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content, offering deeper insights into the film’s themes and characters. A must-have for true fans!
• Eleanor Rigby Lyrics Poster – The Beatles Inspired Art: A minimalist poster featuring the iconic lyrics from The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby.’ Printed on high-quality archival paper, this piece of art serves as a constant reminder of themes of isolation and loneliness portrayed in the film. Excellent for fans of the Beatles and Eleanor Rigby.
• New York Cityscape Jigsaw Puzzle – Scenic View: A detailed and challenging jigsaw puzzle showcasing a beautiful New York Cityscape. Includes 1000 pieces, perfect for winding down after watching the movie, or to get to the roots of what made the movie so real. This puzzle is also a chance to appreciate the city that serves as a backdrop to the film’s drama.
• Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James and Russell Friedman: A practical guide to understanding and navigating the grieving process. Drawing parallels to the themes explored in the film, this handbook offers strategies and insights for managing grief and finding a path towards healing. A valuable resource for anyone dealing with loss.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “So In Love” – performed by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

James McAvoy Discusses X-Men, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby & How He Almost Became A Priest

Ever wonder what goes through an actor’s head when they’re preparing for a role? James McAvoy dives into his experience with ‘The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby’ and it’s super interesting to hear how he connected with the story. You gotta check it out!

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