Is This Is Not Happening Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2014)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

This Is Not Happening, a standout production of 2014, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Modern Cinema landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Chris has been traveling for 5 years. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Modern Cinema are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Chris has been traveling for 5 years. When he moves in with his brother he soon discovers he's not the only one running from his problems. This Is Not Happening is a middle-class drama about decidedly middle-class problems, a la Joanna Hogg or Lena Dunham. When Chris returns he brings the denial of his parents' death with him, but we soon discover he's not the only one in denial. Ultimately, everyone involved must confront the issues they've been running from for years. A performance led film with a distinctive visual style. European in tone but grounded in middle class England. The film explores a group of people who try to ignore their problems, but who in the end find their problems are impossible to deny."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Ingvild Deila does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Dave Thomas is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 87 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is This Is Not Happening truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Modern Cinema, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, This Is Not Happening explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2014 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Dave Thomas respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, This Is Not Happening is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Ingvild Deila or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, This Is Not Happening is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.