Third Person Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guilt-ridden author writes himself into a chaotic love triangle and scams gypsies because reality is too boring.

🍿 Third Person: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Michael and Anna in Paris

Michael, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is in Paris struggling to finish his latest book while navigating a complicated affair with Anna, a younger journalist. Their relationship is tumultuous, marked by jealousy, suspicion, and intense emotional games. Michael is also dealing with the fallout from his recent divorce from Elaine. The core of their conflict revolves around trust and Michael’s use of their relationship as fodder for his writing.

Scott and Monika in Rome

Scott, an American businessman involved in shady dealings, finds himself in Rome where he meets Monika, a Roma woman desperate to reunite with her daughter. Monika’s money has been stolen, and Scott becomes entangled in her plight, leading him on a dangerous journey through Southern Italy. As he tries to help Monika, he begins to suspect he is being conned, raising questions about her true motives and the nature of trust.

Julia and Rick in New York

Julia, an ex-soap opera actress, is embroiled in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband, Rick, a famous artist, for their son. Facing financial hardship and working as a maid, Julia struggles to prove she is a fit parent. Her lawyer, Theresa, works to secure one last chance for Julia to regain custody, but Julia’s past mistakes and Rick’s influence complicate matters. The story examines themes of motherhood, redemption, and the lasting impact of past actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Michael (Liam Neeson): A troubled Pulitzer Prize-winning author in Paris, grappling with writer’s block and a tempestuous affair while estranged from his wife.
• Anna (Olivia Wilde): An ambitious young journalist and Michael’s mistress, harboring secrets and struggling with her own ambitions.
• Julia (Mila Kunis): An ex-soap opera actress and struggling single mother in New York, fighting for custody of her son.
• Scott (Adrien Brody): A shady American businessman in Italy, who becomes entangled with a Roma woman and her daughter’s plight.
• Elaine (Kim Basinger): Michael’s estranged wife, dealing with the aftermath of their separation and his infidelity.
• Rick (James Franco): Julia’s ex-husband and a successful artist, embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their son.
• Monika (Moran Atias): A Roma woman in Italy desperately trying to reunite with her daughter and ensnaring Scott in her troubles.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Theresa: “You love love.” – Theresa, Julia’s lawyer, points out Julia’s persistent romantic nature, despite her troubled past.
• Theresa: “It’s people you don’t have time for.” – Theresa highlights the common struggle of balancing personal life with professional demands, a theme present in all the stories.
• Michael: ““White the color of trust. And the color of the lies he tells himself”” – This is from Michael’s book and highlights the recurring theme of trust and deception.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $28,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,021,398
• Worldwide Gross: $2,624,761

💥 Third Person Reviews

Personal Review

I walked into this movie expecting a clear narrative. Instead, I got a confusing but thought-provoking experience that left me pondering for hours. The intertwining stories felt disjointed at times, yet that’s the beauty of it. Mila Kunis’s performance as a struggling mother resonated deeply, and the twist at the end made me want to rewatch the entire film with a new perspective. The movie is definitely not for everyone, but those who appreciate complex narratives will find it rewarding.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Paul Haggis’ previous work”
  • “Viewers who enjoy complex, character-driven dramas”
  • “Those interested in exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of infidelity and marital strife”
  • “Suggestive themes of incest”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a stellar cast and beautiful scenery, the movie amplifies the hype, but doesn’t deliver. Paul Haggis spent many years crafting this film. The film will appeal to the New York liberal intellectual crowd who thrive on ‘complex’ characters, but ultimately, this movie is all sizzle, no steak.
• IMDB: ““Third Person” is a difficult film to go over, with the main one appearing to have a writer who is having an affair with a beautiful woman. The second story takes place in Italy. Then, we have the darkest of the stories with a woman who can’t seem to get a handle on how to get her son back.
• IMDB: “I’ll start this review by stating that this movie is worth the watch due to it’s mind-bending and intense premise. However, it isn’t the most thrilling film you could be watching. There are many spots in the film that just leave you feeling bored and waiting for something to happen.

Audience Reactions

The twist ending changed the entire meaning of the movie.: Many people enjoyed the intricacy and the complex plot.

Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde shined and gave an excellent and intriguing performance.: Some viewers found the characters deeply flawed and the story hard to follow

Overall Consensus: A complex, often confusing drama with compelling performances but a divisive narrative.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Paul Haggis has said that the film took many years to write, and it was difficult to secure funding for it until the last minute.”
• “James Franco mentioned that Ashton Kutcher, who was Mila Kunis’ fiancé at the time, had to leave the room during the filming of the scene where Franco slaps Kunis and drags her across the floor because he couldn’t bear to watch it.”

🖥️ How to Watch Third Person?

Third Person is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential streaming options, as availability may vary by region. Some cable providers may also offer the film on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Third Person, you might like these similar films:

• Crash (2004): Also directed by Paul Haggis, explores interweaving stories with complex characters and themes of morality and connection.
• Babel (2006): Features multiple storylines in different countries, linked by a single tragic event and exploring themes of communication and misunderstanding.
• Love Actually (2003): Presents several interconnected love stories, capturing various facets of love and relationships.
• Amores Perros (2000): A Mexican anthology film that uses a car crash to link together three stories exploring different social classes and human relationships.

🛒 Third Person Related Products

• Paris, Rome, New York – Travel Poster Set: A set of minimalist travel posters capturing the iconic skylines of Paris, Rome, and New York, perfect for film fans to evoke the movie’s settings.
• Pulitzer Prize Winners Collection: A digital collection of Pulitzer Prize-winning books, to inspire viewers to explore literary fiction as portrayed in the movie.
• Italian Roma Gypsy Fortune Tarot Cards – Unique Deck: A collectible tarot card deck inspired by the Roma character from the movie. A unique addition for collectors.
• Parisian Hotel Room Ambiance – Relaxing Sounds: A digital download of ambient sounds from a Parisian hotel room to relive the movie’s opening setting.

🎧 Soundtrack

Third Person features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chiaro” – performed by Gigi D’Alessio
• “The Only Thing” – performed by Moby

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Moby – The Only Thing (from The Third Person)

Did you know Moby wrote a song *specifically* inspired by ‘Third Person’? He even got a sneak peek at a rough cut! Give it a listen – it totally captures the vibe of Liam Neeson’s story in the film. So good.

✨ Rate