JUST BEFORE I GO Trailer

Okay, this one’s a little late, but regardless.

EXT. NOON. IN THE CLOUDS.

A young person begins a conversion with an entity representing the pop culture mentality of society.

Sam A. Donovan: Hi society. I’m a little down right now. Can you help me?
Society: No, get happy, loser!
Sam: But I can’t. It’s just difficult to get out of bed every morning.
Society: Get over it!
Sam: My problem is…
Society: Eew! Did I ask you?

Society walks away. A chill passes through but Sam is too numb to feel it.

A simple representation of what many people with depression have to deal with in regards to their place in society. Starting off with this, I’m going to discuss the trailer for Just Before I Go.

Just Before I Go is directed by Courtney Cox and stars Seann William Scott and Elisha Cuthbert. Ted Morgan, a man at the end of his rope returns to his hometown seeking closure before he tries to off himself. His main goal is to fight against his former bully, but things don’t turn out like how he fantasizes they should. There are so many awkward moments and sheer randomness that you start to ask why life should be taken so seriously.

For many of these trailer discussions, I keep going into narrative content rather than focus on things like camera technique or lighting. There’s a reason for that. These films usually don’t focus on those features and at least keep it at such a professional level that there’s not much to talk. You basically see the same kind of shots in every film. Hence, I try to talk to you about what I can and right now the topic is depression and a movie loosely referring to it.

For many people, depression is something you hide. It can keep you from getting a job if potential employers are aware of it. Notice Ted seems to have a lot of free time. He’s not the end all be all representation of people with depression, but put a suspension of disbelief sticker on it. At most you’re aware he’s suicidal and that has to come from somewhere. Most times it feels like you’re a witness to life rather than a participant in it. Understandably, you feel a lack of control over your own life. Again, notice Ted wants to do some last act before his demise. His goal is vengeance against his former bully that eventually fizzles out. That goal is his attempt to control life that ends in unexpected but hilarious results. Hot sauce in Rob Riggle’s eyes.

Throughout the film, Ted is witness and , I daresay, victim to random weirdness. He gets together with a blonde girl, who is married with kids. In the middle of the night his sister-in-law starts sleep-masturbating in front of him. He even gets asked to assassinate his bully’s dad. From a perspective that grew up on a diet of Jesus and Disney, do you think this kind of situation is ideal for anyone except consummate weirdos with fetishes? We all have this idea implanted in our heads of what life is supposed to be like because of movies and our parents. It rarely goes like that unless you have the means for it or you worked hard to obtain the ideal. Everyone else has feces flung at them on overdrive. Some are cool with it and deal, while others can’t.

Now about the jumping scene at the end of the trailer. You’re aware of water being a metaphor for many things. What I’m hinting at is rebirth. If you’re depressed, I think you’re most likely living in a situation you hate. Often enough it seems to be because of a lack of options. People keep on telling you there are strict rules to follow. You follow them not really by choice, even though it is choice, because of the potential consequences. When you free yourself of certain mental shackles, you get new insight. Rules become guidelines when you understand they can be broken. You choose and define your life. It has always been your choice but some people don’t realize that.

Just Before I Go already opened in U.S theaters. So go see it if you want. There are no worldwide dates I’m aware of.

Tell us your thoughts!