On The Count Of Three
One the Count of Three tells the story of two life-long friends, spending their last day together, before committing to shoot each other.
If it wasn’t clear already, this film comes with some obvious trigger warnings. But don’t let that scare you off because this is one to watch, portraying this potential tandem suicide with the levity it deserves.
The opening scene perfectly sets the tone for the next 80 minutes. The audience is staring directly into Kevin’s melancholy eyes as he is pointing a gun at his best friend's head. On the count of three they are meant to shoot each other, and gain what they believe to be the sweet relief of death. But just as they’re meant to pull the trigger Kevin pivots, saying they need one last day. The pair decide on some cathartic measures that only someone who has ever gone to sleep praying they wouldn’t wake up in the morning could really understand. There really is nothing quite like the ongoing exhaustion of mental illness.
Christopher Abbott as Kevin and Jerrod Carmichael as Val, are both so believable, and wholly relatable, if only to a select audience. It truly feels like there is a lifetime of friendship between the two. The audience can connect with the ease Kevin has with Val and the sympathetic pain Val feels for his best friend.
On the Count of Three is also the Directorial debut for Carmichael, and a dynamic debut at that. The story is well rounded, with a solid pace and an absolute sense of authenticity.
Outside of our two protagonists, Tiffany Haddish owned her role as Natasha. Her scene was short in length but her presence was long lasting. She brings a stark reminder to those who are left behind. The combination of cast and crew in this film treat and represent this topic with due respect.
Anyone who has ever struggled with chronic mental illness and that feeling of simply being too tired to keep going will appreciate the representation in this story. This along with the ability to actually validate male vulnerability is what gets this film over the line. Real talent was needed to be able to navigate a story of this kind and it was done with absolute charm, finding light in what could be all doom and gloom.
The sound crew clearly creates a soundscape that keeps this story from slipping too far into that darkness. With music by Owen Pallet the soundtrack was absolutely vital, bringing a sense of comedic relief to the darker parts, setting a tone of relatable chaos. Complimentary to this is the camera work that finds a way to portray fear, ecstasy and sometimes even just our protagonists point of view, with absolute elegance.
The ending had more of a dramatic flair than really was needed for this film. This took away from the sense of reality in the story but perhaps that was what first time Director Carmichael was looking for.
Notwithstanding this, a simpler resolve may have benefited the audience's connection with this story as a whole. This film is the embodiment of ongoing struggle. When you feel like you’ve done everything there is to be done, only to come out the other side more numb than ever.
