The Right One is a film written and directed by Ken Mok. It tells the story of an author named Sara, played by Cleopatra Coleman, who is trying to pen a follow-up to her best selling book but is suffering from writer’s block. Her agent blames the creative woes on Sara’s most recent break-up so she thrusts her out into the dating world despite Sara’s protests. While out on the town, Sara bumps into a man named Godfrey, portrayed by Nick Thune. Each time Sara runs into Godfrey though, he has taken on a new imaginative persona. This intrigues Sara and despite Godfrey’s aloofness she pursues him to try and get to know him. What she finds out is that Godfrey’s various characters are more than just a creative expression: they are guises that a deeply wounded man hides behind. Ultimately, Sara and Godfrey have to decide if the connection they feel is strong enough to pull them both out of their respective pits of despair.

The movie definitely has parts that work. There are some great lines and poignant moments, but it just never gels together like you wish it would. That’s not due to the fault of the actors. Cleopatra Coleman gives an energetic performance that you could really envision leading a rom-com. And Nick Thune does a great job taking on so many different personalities, but the problem is they are all just fragments of his character so we never get to see them come together for any depth. That’s mostly what is missing from this narrative, concrete depth. Take Iliza Shlesinger, who plays Sara’s agent. Her character bounces around the film from over-the-top Ari Gold caricature, to supportive friend, to sage voice of wisdom. The actress does a good job with all of them but it makes her character feel all over the place, but that’s what this movie feels like too.

At times, it feels like a light-hearted romantic comedy. At other times, it feels like a touching and heartfelt look at PTSD and mental illness. Godfrey’s character seems to clearly be suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder. However, it isn’t really mentioned in the film. Instead during an intense scene they focus on whether or not he has Schizophrenia. In that scene, they are trying to decide if he is fit to be around children. This has the effect of implying that if the character did have a mental disorder, it would not be safe for him to be around kids. Although I am sure it was unintentional, it still undermined the examination of mental illness that the movie seemed to be going for. The scene also ignored the Dissociative Identity Disorder completely which seemed to further distance it from a true look at mental illness.

The mental health angle aside, the narrative overall feels like a first draft of what could be a really great movie, which makes the final result all the more disappointing. There is nothing terrible about this piece of cinema. It has some entertainment value; it just could have done so much more. The unrealized potential is what hurts it the most. You want so much to see Sara and Godfrey really explore their shadows since there are so many hints throughout the film. There are some great messages embedded in the film about being your true authentic self and the ending is heart-warming. As I mentioned there was a great opportunity to explore mental health and the stigma around it. But none of these things work up much momentum. Instead we end up with a lot of false starts.

RORSHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment: This movie focuses on the mental disorder known as Dissociative Identity Disorder which, although on the rarer side, does affect thousands of people. Formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder, it is a disorder that causes a person to adopt two or more distinct personality states and is usually brought on as a result of trauma. This often is portrayed in pop culture but usually as a deranged villain such as Norman Bates or Harvey Dent. In The Right One we see a much more realistic portrayal. Instead of antisocial behavior, the character Godfrey is a wounded man hiding from a traumatic past and at a loss as to how to overcome his guilt; someone who needs compassion, understanding, and a friendly face instead of Batman. People with mental illness need someone to reach out a hand to them rather than someone who shows them fear. In that vein, this movie does well.

The character Sara pursues the afflicted Godfrey and literally extends a friendly hand to him in one scene. She wants to help him rather than write him off. All of us suffer from bad memories and can get a little turned upside down, some of us more than others. But no matter how deep we fall into a pit we are all looking to climb out and we all could use some help and a friendly face to keep us climbing. So if you know someone struggling from mental illness try to be supportive in any way you can. If you yourself are struggling with mental illness there are people who will help. Text “HELLO” to 741741 in a crisis or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(En Espanol 1-888-628-9454). If you are not in a life and death situation but still need help you can find it by calling 1-800-662-HELP.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. The Right One is property of Lionsgate. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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