Jane Schoenbrun created an unforgettable experience in her 2024 film, I Saw the TV Glow, finding a way to visualize the complex experience of finding one’s identity. The film deals with emotional pain, specifically feeling empty and lost in the world. Each scene in the film is meticulously crafted to express a frightening, yet, intricate journey of self-discovery.
Throughout the movie, the characters are literally engulfed in their surroundings, appearing inconsequential compared to their overpowering environment. Maddy and Owen also frequently hunch over to depict their self-doubt in the form of timidness. Occasionally, a “normal” teenage billboard or event reminds the audience of the characters’ disconnectedness with the world.
About an hour in, however, Maddy reappears in Owen’s life, and the cinematography dramatically changes. When Maddy elucidates her reawakening, she starts small in comparison to her surroundings. With light cutting through her face, she suddenly takes control of the sequence. The scene switches to a low-angle shot, and the camera is looking up, as Maddy’s face finally occupies the full frame. At last, Maddy is reborn with command over her life. The shooting then tragically returns to its original form, as we watch Owen continue to neglect their true self.
The dialogue and storyline are just as intentional as the framing. The conversations early on between the characters are presented as somewhat awkward and slow. This lack of confidence represents Owen’s uncomfortability with the truth, and their struggle to accept their identity. It also feels like every single piece of the TV show was extremely meaningful. From Mr. Melancholy being the ultimate evil, to the title itself being called the “Pink Opaque”, each detail reveals a new metaphor about the characters’ struggles. Overall, the show parallels the characters’ lives, and guides them on their paths.
Ultimately, I mostly enjoyed the film, but I was much more interested in its meaning. The soundtrack was an additional amazing touch. Sometimes the conversations, and subsequently, the pacing were a bit too slow for my liking, yet, I still appreciated the significance of this choice. Similarly, the characters, at times, felt too disconnected for me to personally resonate with, but I understood the emphasis. However, I think the most important and impressive thing about this film is that it truly forces the viewer to think about, interpret, and empathize with an issue that many people struggle to comprehend.
7/10
