"And never have I felt so deeply at one and the same time so detached from myself and so present in the world.”
The movie I am going to review begins with this quote by Albert Camus—a line that sets the tone for the rest of the film. There is a sombre and depressing vibe coming from each frame, and yet, it is one of the most feel-good movies I have ever watched. It feels "feel-good" not in a conventional sense, but because we can relate to the protagonist’s situation and his existential dread.
Released in 2011 and directed by Tony Kaye, Detachment is another showcase of Adrien Brody’s remarkable acting prowess. The film follows Mr. Barthes (Brody), a temporary English teacher working at a high school. He has chosen to remain emotionally detached—yet is still kind-hearted—from those around him and from the circumstances he finds himself in. It becomes evident that something traumatic from his past has shaped his indifferent and nonchalance attitude. He leads a solitary life, often visiting his grandfather in a nursing home. His life is filled with sadness, seemingly without any significant purpose.
The narration and cinematography are more or less similar of Taxi Driver, and both protagonists share a profound internal dilemma and existential angst.
While the main narrative focuses on Mr. Barthes’ life, the plot develops through his interactions with three women: a fellow teacher, Sarah; a student, Meredith; and a young prostitute, Erica. Throughout the film, he navigates the complexities and harsh realities of life. Although he finds some solace in teaching, the students at his school are unruly and disrespectful—products of negligent and vacant parenting. The film serves as a satire on absentee parenthood and the consequences of raising children without discipline or empathy. Despite this, Mr. Barthes handles the situation cleverly at the school with his emotionally detached demeanor, eventually earning the students' respect. Meredith, one of the students, fascinated to the sadness within him, but this affection ends in tragedy at the end.
The film also highlights the struggles of teachers, particularly in private education sectors, where their role is reduced to maintaining order rather than truly educating. They are mere puppets, subject to the whims of parents. It made me understand why some teachers often say that the classroom is the only place where they feel alive. For Mr. Barthes, teaching appears to be a coping mechanism—a way to survive in an indifferent and uncaring world.
Amidst all the existential grief and chaos, Mr. Barthes experiences moments of peace with Erica. Not in a physical sense, but through a shared emotional connection. He offers her a place to stay, and they share fleeting moments of happiness. Through conversations with Erica, we learn about his childhood trauma: an absent father and a mother who committed suicide. This context explains his grief and emotional detachment. By the end of the film, I believe Mr. Barthes begins to accept his fate, moving gradually toward nihilism when he decides to send Erica to a group home. Despite all of this, there remains a slight of hope—represented by the final hug between Barthes and Erica—that speaks to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of despair.
The movie concludes with a deeply affecting and emotionally hollow ending. The climax is quiet yet powerful, filled with meaning and emotional resolution. The final analogy between Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher and Barthes’ deteriorating mental state is particularly compelling. If you decide to watch this movie, I highly recommend doing so at night, to fully grapple into its emotional depth and the characters’ pain.
Here is the trailer...
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