The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, upon first blush, seems like a straightforward story about the highs and lows of a couple’s (Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy) relationship. First time filmmaker Ned Benson has other more ambitious things on his mind, as his movie is actually separated into three different features.
Most movie fans will see the 122 minute theatrical cut The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them starting September 12. If you’re absolutely entranced by Them, you can also check out the flicks Him and Her when they are both released in select theaters October 10. Both Him and Her (and for that matter Them) have different tones and points of view (Her’s concept originated when Chastain wanted a bit more depth to her character, so Benson wrote a new script which devoted more time to Eleanor’s life).
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The project also features wonderful supporting work from Ciarán Hinds as Conor’s celebrity restaurateur father, as well as Isabelle Huppert and William Hurt as Eleanor’s parents. Although each actor have their moments in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, their respective roles should deepen in Him and Her.
Chastain, who’s received Oscar nods for her work in Zero Dark Thirty and The Help, may land her third nomination for The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (especially since Weinstein Films know how to mount a high profile awards campaign).
For Jessica Chastain, a huge element of filmmaking is creating a strong bond with the director (she and Eleanor Rigby director Ned Benson have known each other for years, before her star making turns in Tree of Life and The Help).
Click on the Soundcloud bar below as Chastain explains why fighting for movie roles is a gratifying part of her process (she mentions her previous films The Debt and The Help in the clip).
