The opening image of the film is defined by a bright red - one that could suggest passion, romance, but also blood. Before you can make more sense of the violent act of a telephone getting thrashed to bits, you are immediately pulled into a visual that lies on the other end of the spectrum - serene whites, gentle smiles and the warm afternoon of a picnic between two lovers. 

<br><br> The first instinct might be to tie them together and expect a narrative about a romantic relationship gone awry, followed by loss and heartache. Instead, the film portrays a relationship between a man and his work, but one that has certainly gone terribly awry. As a life of endless phone calls, strings of emails, and pulling long shifts is invoked, reality bleeds into delirious dreams to entirely overpower Wallace's sense of well-being.

<br><br>As the protagonist drowns deeper and deeper in the overwhelming toxicity of a society where job benefits, pay-checks and your ability to be a 'team player' define your worth, the cacophony of it all is allowed a notable delineation. This is also aided and enhanced by a surreal approach where much of the drama operates within the space of symbolism and metaphors, each of them successfully conveying the intended meaning. While the film could have gained from a little more control on its lighting, it makes a compelling point about how addictive being good at a job can be, drawing a person into an infinite loop of exhaustion, further coupled with its devastating effects on mental health. 



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