Title: And Then There Was Eve
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: Savannah Bloch
Starring: Tania Nolan, Rachel Crowl, Karan Soni
Runtime: 1 hr 36 min

What It Is: Successful photographer Alyssa (Nolan) wakes up to find her apartment ransacked and her husband Kevin (Jonathan Flanagan) missing, along with photographs and any evidence of their marriage. Seeking answers, Alyssa turns to her husband’s colleague Eve (Crowl), a talented jazz pianist who enables her to understand Kevin’s battle with depression and to eventually accept his absence. While getting to know Eve at such a troubling time, Alyssa is surprised to find herself falling in love again.

What We Think: Enjoyment of the film largely rests on a certain revelation (therefore I’ll tread carefully), a mystery the majority of viewers will have uncovered before the film fully unravels. Most likely by design, the audience is ahead of the narrative and are invited to delve into the emotional aftermath of their discovery, with Johanna Coelho’s precise, slick cinematography examining each thought process. Exploring two sides of a complex and often untold story, although admirable, Bloch’s intriguing narrative structure hampers her film. The growing bond between Alyssa and Eve is rushed and at times plays out like a montage, resulting in a lack of investment. The film’s strength is the discussion it’s likely to spark. Whether it’s the very current issue of to what extent our gender defines who we are and how it affects the people surrounding us. Or more broadly, how a long-term relationship can chip away at your identity.

And Then There Was Eve is brilliantly cast. Nolan dives into the depths of denial with conviction, with Robert Lydecker’s score superbly emphasising her undoing. Along with Soni, who once again brings his infectious energy to a minor role. However, it’s Crowl that steals the show as quietly confident and extremely charming Eve, without getting into spoiler territory, Hollywood often dramatically misses the mark casting this role.

Our Grade: C, Thought-provoking but problematic, the film’s alluring set-up is both its appeal and eventual downfall. However, Bloch still manages to tackle a subject that’s largely neglected, with an authenticity that’s lacking within similar themed big-budget productions.