Wishful Thinking

Institute History

  • 1995 Directors Lab

Description

WISHFUL THINKING

Told from the perspective of three different characters, WISHFUL THINKING explores the darkly comic desperation that arises when jealously and manipulation is introduced into a relationship.

Part one: Max. Max and Elizabeth have been living together for 4 years. After Max rejects Elizabeth's plans for marriage, he becomes convinced that she has begun an affair with Jack, a mutual friend. Their relationship decays as Max becomes increasingly jealous, though he is unable to determine if the affair is actually happening. Just as Max is about to catch Jack and Elizabeth in a tryst, we shift back in time to the beginning of the story, now seen from a different perspective.

Part 2: Lena. Lena, a co-worker and friend of Max, has been in love with Max from the moment she met him. When she learns of Max's jealousy she plants false clues to implicate Elizabeth and Jack. The plan works, but when Lena spies Elizabeth acting suspiciously one day, she wonders if her maneuvering may have actually resulted in throwing Elizabeth into Jack's arms. Lena is overcome with guilt. How could she destroy the life of someone she loves? Lena tries to confess to Max, but before she can, we switch to a different perspective.

Part 3: Elizabeth. After Max rejects her proposal of marriage, Elizabeth becomes increasingly despondent, but not unfaithful. It is only when Max becomes paranoid and accusatory that she begins to think about wandering. Jack is certainly available, but he is too much of a Casanova for Elizabeth's taste. After a late night fight with Max, Elizabeth meets Henry, a young, funny photographer. They soon begin an affair.

In the end, all is revealed to Max, and he and Elizabeth separate. Through the experience, all three characters learn how their character affects their destiny, and how reality is simply a matter of perspective.

Credits

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