Essay Questions

What does the lighting of the film tell us about Caden's life and psychological wellbeing?

The lighting of the film is overall quite dark and dismal, representing the deterioration of Caden's personal life and his physical health. This lighting also consistent with Caden's commitment to realism in his own play, which further blurs the lines between reality and fiction in the film. Significantly, not all the lighting and imagery of the film is dark and dreary; when Caden sees his daughter Olive, she is wearing a bright coat, representing the fact she gives his life meaning.

What is a synecdoche, and why is this concept significant to the film?

A synecdoche is a figure of speech, in which a part of something represents the whole. For example, the phrase "all hands on deck" is a synecdoche, as the phrase uses the word hands to refer to the crew as a whole. In relation to the film, the term synecdoche is significant, as Caden’s play is an attempt to represent the whole of life through only part of it.

Why is Caden's life dismal at the beginning of the film?

At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to Caden Cotard, a miserable theatre director who has an unhappy marriage with his wife Adele. It is clear she wants to leave the relationship, which she eventually does, taking with her their daughter Olive. On top of this, Caden also suffers from a strange disease that slowly takes over his body.