MIFF 2022 Film Review - On the Count of Three
Images courtesy of the Melbourne International Film Festival.
On the Count of Three is a memorable movie, I can give it that much. The premise of two childhood friends enjoying each other’s company before critically reevaluating their place on Earth is delivered with blunt force edges that make it hard to not leave shell-shocked. I’m an experienced movie-goer with plenty of discomfort under my belt, I’d like to think I’m not unsettled easily. What makes this film so hard to watch however, is the absurdly frank depiction of hopelessness and starkly cruel humour.
What leads a person to suicide? Kevin currently lives in a mental institution and is clinically depressed while Val’s in a dead romance and working an unfulfilling job. Within minutes of the runtime both attempt to take matters into their own hands with varying degrees of failure. So, here’s the deadly proposition: do we want them to succeed? Are we, mere humble viewers, going to root for the downfall of two fine gentlemen in their prime, desperately seeking connection and redemption? Yes, apparently, especially after the heinous choices they make during their last day on Earth.
On the Count of Three isn’t your parents' anarchy flick - this is certainly no Ferris Bueller. Instead, the film almost relishes in its own depravity as Kevin’s life in particular just gets worse and worse. Imagine being institutionalised, needing a security guard to lead you between bedroom and bathroom, and somehow that’s in your top three moments of the day. The highs and lows are used as prompts to displace and torture audiences who just want to see some resolution or reconsideration concerning the dire choice these protagonists have come to.
Moments of childhood innocence are found at the shooting range and at the dirt bike course but rest assured that every glimmer of sunshine is squashed with stunning speed by the reality that these guys are simply not having a good day. Try as they might, every trivial attempt at stress relief leaves them worse for wear and while I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the bum-luck they were enduring, I never felt good for going so. There was only ever going to be two ways that I’d leave this feature, either beating myself up for laughing at cosmic cruelty or just feeling plain bad. And while I did leave having felt like depression was contagious with how much rubbed off on me, I was also left devoid of meaning. What did I just watch and what did it teach me? I’m still trying to figure those two out.
On the Count of Three is screening as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival, running in cinemas August 4-21 and online August 11-28. For tickets and more info, click here.