The Listener: Review
This film titled The Listener is exactly what it promises to be. In Steve Buscemi's latest cinematic endeavor, Tessa Thompson leads as Beth, a committed helpline volunteer whose nights are characterized by the gentle buzz of her earpiece and the voices that reach her through it.
From the outset, the premise appears straightforward – Beth spends her shifts answering calls, offering solace, and sometimes simply lending an empathetic ear. However, within this seemingly ordinary routine lies an underlying tension that captivates audiences.
Thompson's portrayal of Beth in The Listener is nothing short of magnetic. With profound insight, she navigates the complexities of human connection, delving into the poignant struggles of those seeking solace. From the onset of her shift until its tranquil end, viewers are enveloped in Beth's domain, where each call introduces a fresh narrative, a new crisis demanding her steadfast attention and empathy. The film wastes no time in plunging us into the emotional depths of Beth's nightly journey, revealing the immense toll of her work while slowly unraveling the motivations behind her unwavering dedication.
While Alessandro Camon's script subtly touches upon broader themes of mental well-being, there's an undeniable resonance with the challenges of the Covid era. In a time marked by isolation and uncertainty, Beth's role as a lifeline assumes added significance, embodying the compassion and empathy so desperately sought amid the prevailing darkness. In The Listener, Beth's world unfolds through the ethereal veil of voices, each call a portal into the lives of strangers seeking solace. From the whispered revelations of a reformed ex-convict navigating newfound freedom to the trembling confessions of a young woman ensnared in the coils of abuse, the spectrum of human experience unfurls in the darkened confines of Beth's sanctuary.
With an ensemble cast featuring the illustrious voices of Rebecca Hall, Margaret Cho, and Alia Shawkat, the absence of visual cues amplifies the power of their narratives, weaving a tapestry of emotion that envelops the audience in its embrace. Director Steve Buscemi's choice to eschew visual representation heightens the intimacy of each exchange, allowing the purity of the spoken word to resonate with profound clarity.
As night deepens its hold, the subtle fissures in Beth's veneer unveil tender glimpses of vulnerability and ambiguity. Tessa Thompson's performance, rich in nuance, effortlessly navigates these delicate shifts, beckoning us further into the labyrinth of Beth's psyche with each fleeting moment. Though "The Listener" may linger beyond its welcome at times, Thompson's enthralling depiction ensures that every subtle revelation and nuanced alteration maintains our steadfast fascination, igniting an unquenchable curiosity to unravel the enigma shrouding Beth's true essence.
The Listener is undoubtedly one of the most exhausting films I've ever experienced, yet it manages to captivate us from start to finish. Steve Buscemi's direction immerses us in the tumult of Beth's helpline shifts, subjecting us to a relentless barrage of calls until we're as drained as she must be by night's end. Despite the film's focus on Beth, it artfully integrates the sounds of the calls, transporting us into the worlds of the callers through their voices. While most calls maintain a natural flow, certain moments disrupt the rhythm, such as a disturbing encounter with a caller involved in revenge porn or a debate on the morality of suicide. Nevertheless, Tessa Thompson's compelling performance and Buscemi's strategic use of location ensure our sustained engagement throughout.
The Listener may squeeze our emotions dry like a soaked sponge, but we owe a debt of gratitude to Tessa Thompson's masterful performance. Without her, the film would falter. Despite occasionally feeling like we're nestled in for a solo act in a cozy living room, the movie still packs a punch in its exploration of the intricacies of human connection and empathy. One of the most immersive, exhausting, and utterly captivating experiences I've ever had.
Grade: 4/5