The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them has the makings of a stellar offbeat romance: confidence, intrigue, pathos and a dream cast in Chastain and McAvoy. However this undoubtedly accomplished and artistic film falls short in its combined (Him + Her) form.

Ned Benson pours magniloquence into the series, a quality he is understandably loath to forfeit; this precipitates an overabundance of profound statements and therefore potential emotional apathy in the audience. Meanwhile the diluted leads lose impact compared to concentrated secondary characters.

Otherwise this version presents an compelling and fairly intriguing, if enervated, conundrum regarding the obstacles to love.

Notwithstanding its invention and skill The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them bemoans the loss of its individual applications. The film does not cut sufficiently deep despite a wonderful cast and realistically flawed characters; we are interested but not consumed.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Nina Arianda, Viola Davis, Bill Hader, Ciarán Hinds, William Hurt

DIRECTOR: Ned Benson

WRITER: Ned Benson

SYNOPSIS: The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them charts the individual perspectives– previously individual films (The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her) – of married couple Connor Ludlow (McAvoy) and Eleanor Rigby (Chastain). After their separation Connor works in his restaurant and Eleanor pursues further education while they both negotiate new lives and the love they once knew.