The essence of life lies in its existence and what makes us human is the power to connect and express. Director L. Marcus Williams’ “Lifeline” is an exploration in the same human connection one seeks to find. The film starts with a woman named Iris (Katlin Leslie) calling a Suicide Prevention helpline not to seek help but, to say goodbye to someone. On the other side of the line is Ray (Dan Parilis). Iris makes it clear she is not here to seek help and anything Ray says won’t affect her decision of ending her life.
The film is essentially a dialogue between the two to reflect on choices and decisions one embarks in life. The filters used on the opposite spectrum tell a story in itself, a story of vulnerability and misery. We often watch films to escape our lives and find meaning in the characters we watch on the screen—it is very often that one relates to the characters completely and finds oneself at the same position as the character.
Williams has managed to cross the line between reality and fiction and compels the audience to find themselves at the same juncture as Iris and Ray. The performances by Katlin Leslie and Dan Parilis are phenomenal, and an embodiment of how minimal expressions have the power to convey so many emotions. Parilis’s eyes managed to express so many emotions within a matter of a few seconds that one cannot escape the moment of hope he sees for Iris.
The essential and novelty factor which “Lifeline” explores is that the story of suicide, and is not limited to the individual who commits the act but, the effects of it travel through just like a whisper. The embodiment of the same can be seen in Ray’s character who slowly and steadily opens up to Iris about his side of the story. Though the film revolves around mental health, it is not a therapeutic film at any juncture; it is not dark, but the reality of such situations that are not often reflected well on-screen. Throughout the film, Ray always looks up at the camera, indicating the hope he has despite the caller on the other end being devoid of hope; it is as if he is compensating for the lack of hope in the conversation. In the end, the film has a very simple message that one calm listening voice can make up for the misery and despair one might be facing.
You can watch “Lifeline” for free on A Fly on the 4th Wall by clicking here.
