Afterglow: A Flickering Light

Folks, grab your coffee and sit tight! Let’s chat about *Afterglow*, a film that’s somehow both captivating and a bit puzzling. Directed by Alan Rudolph, this movie has moments that remind me of Bergman’s knack for delving into human conditions, though let’s not get carried away.

The story spins around two couples: the ever-so-charming Julie Christie and her handyman husband Nick Nolte, and another duo portrayed by Lara Flynn Boyle and Jonny Lee Miller. Christie, who won an Oscar nomination for this role, absolutely shines in her portrayal. She’s like that aunt who shows up at Midsummer and steals the show with stories from her youth.

Now, there’s this scene in the film where way two characters are talking and the room’s bathed in moody light. It took me on a trip down memory lane to that autumn evening in Stockholm, when the dusk framed the city just perfectly. You know the kind? When shadows stretch long and you can’t help but feel nostalgic for something you can’t quite put your finger on.

The film’s got this jazzy vibe, thanks to the music by Mark Isham. It lends an atmospheric layer, wrapping the scenes in a warmth that contrasts the often chilly interactions between its characters. But, I gotta say, sometimes the pace drags a bit. It’s like watching a Swedish autumn – beautiful, but damp all the same.

I think what *Afterglow* really gets right is the honesty of its characters. Even when the plot meanders, theirs sparks of recognition in their struggles and longings. It’s about the messy bits of marriage, the unspoken yearnings, and the bittersweet fading of youth. Definitely worth a watch if you’ve got a soft spot for stories that linger.

Check the trailer below