Emotions are everything for humans; without them, humans are not human. This quote has often been used as a subject for many films, where we see storytellers exploring human traits. “The Integrity of Joseph Chambers,” playing at the Tribeca Film Festival, is another addition to this theme.
The film follows a man named Joseph Chambers (Clayne Crawford), a regular person and an insurance salesman. Despite being an untutored hunter, he challenges himself to catch a deer to prove to his family that he can survive and provide for his family. His thinking is that his manhood is at stake if he can’t deliver for his family with his survivalist instincts. While his wife tried to warn him and told him to bring a friend along, he disagreed and went alone.
An Absorbing, Attentive Character Study
His journey begins smoothly into the woods. A sanguine, rugged Joseph walks around, eats his sandwich, and plays with the hunting rifle. However, things turn upside down when he shoots at what he thinks is a deer, only to uncover unexpected results. This utterance causes him to twist, jumping switching scenarios that involve hiding the evidence to come out clean from the police. Anyway, his life is forever changed. What Joseph thought was a regular deer hunting trip became the opposite of that. Feeling the constraint and consternation in his wish to prove himself, he briskly found himself in distress and plainly in over his head.
Written and directed by Robert Machoian, “The Integrity of Joseph Chambers” is another absorbing, attentive character study that operates with quiet, undemonstrative nuance. Though we spend time with the protagonist, he remains a bit of a puzzle. A person who was once the regular friendly presence around the workplace became quietly radicalized while being put in a different situation. While the direction is pitch-perfect, the writing is something that does wonders; it simply explores the human and his emotions in times of unexpected events. If a man has done something wrong in a secluded nature preserve and no one sees it, is it blameworthy? Exploring the subject of individual responsibility and masculine frailty is showcased from an intimate lens. The film is a coherent evaluation of human actions and the self-preservation strategies one defaults to when one fears the unknown.
Cinematography, Acting, and Emotion make ‘The Integrity of Joseph Chambers’
The theme of dilemma gives the film its psychologically-thrilling genesis. What would one do if they were in the same situation as Joseph? We’re left to contemplate. Director Robert Machoian deserves excellent appreciation for doing many things from so little, and Clayne Crawford’s subtle and intense performance make the film perfect. What makes the film more intense and exciting is the cinematography of Oscar Ignacio Jiménez. And the combination of the sound editing and score by William Ryan Fritch gives the film life and much-needed emotional catharsis.
Jeffery Dean Morgan in “The Integrity of Joseph Chambers.” (Photo: Tribeca Festival 2022).
Director Robert Machoian has previously made the critically acclaimed film “The Killing of Two Lovers,” an introspective look into a fraught relationship from the perspective of a scorned ex-lover. He once again collaborates with his lead actor Clayne Crawford. Their new film follows the same ethos of exploring the darker sides of man’s ability to rationalize hardships and inner thoughts.
In contrast, many think it’s easy to have a film driven by one character; but it’s the opposite from both direction and acting sides. Machoian wonders with his writing and direction; Crawford’s strong performance as Chambers helped his vision reach a significant level. His range was on exhibit here, going through his character scale of sentiments and engaging viewers in the dramatis personae’s fragile persona. Crawford’s magnetism and charisma make it easy to make that expeditious emotional relation, thus ensuring more of an impact. The film’s small but sturdy SFX helps it, as does its supporting cast Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jordana Brewster, and Michael Raymond-James.
A Truly Powerful Film
“The Integrity of Joseph Chambers” is a must-watch; it’s a reflective study of the ugly truth of the human psyche. Is one individual capable of hiding things and cheating when he knows there are no consequences? Or does the notion of unkinking righteousness cause us to experience mortification, making one fess up to their faults? The thought on this lay in the center of this layered, crafted character study. The film has all one will look for, from an exciting storyline to excellent performances throughout.
“The Integrity of Joseph Chambers” is currently doing rounds in this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
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