The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her

Every story has two sides. The unprecedented cinematic event The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her sets out to prove just that in this quietly realized, heartwrenching drama from director Ned Benson.

Following a horrific tragedy, the enviable marriage between Conor (James McAvoy), a restaurant owner, and Eleanor (Jessica Chastain), a returning college student, begins to fall apart. With each day worse than the last, their connection starts deteriorating, until one day Eleanor just disappears....

Benson presents his protagonists' experience comprehensively in two separate, feature-length chapters. While it's essential to see both parts — a total run-time of three hours — to experience the complete picture, each chapter has its own unique tone, appropriate to its corresponding piece of the puzzle. Part mystery, part emotional drama, Him tells the story of a befuddled man longing to reconnect with his estranged wife. On the other hand, Her is a character study about a woman trying to reinvent herself.

Aided by a terrific supporting cast — Ciarán Hinds, Bill Hader, Viola Davis, Jess Weixler, William Hurt and Isabelle Huppert — The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her packs a strong emotional punch. Vivid cinematography and a dry, honest wit perfectly accent the top-notch acting skills of Chastain and McAvoy, both in fine form here. Evoking the long-term effects of loss, and raising questions important to anyone attempting a lasting relationship, Benson's feature debut is personal, layered and insightful — from all perspectives.

This work in progress is designed to be viewed as episodes in any sequence, and will also be screened at the Festival in reverse order as Her and Him on Tuesday, September 10.

CAMERON BAILEY