The Frame - Scotty's Review

When watching some of your favorite shows, you can fall in love with some of the characters.  There is no shame in doing that as you spend thirty minutes to an hour watching their stories each week and you cry when they are gone from the story.  But what makes us love these characters so much that we feel like they are part of our family?  Is it because we believe that they hold a piece or ourselves, or do we believe that they could be real?

Getting out of prison three years ago, Alex is looking to get out of his current line of work as he is paying off a large debt to his group.  As he tries to move away, someone is always there to bring him back in and perform the work has been so good in doing over the years.  With plenty of money saved up, Alex is ready to take his shot and get out of town, but when his apartment gets broken into and his close friend is killed, he has no choice to do what he is told for fear of being knocked off himself.

Sam is a young paramedic with a past that she is trying to run away from.  Only wanting to focus on her current situation and not wanting to look back for anything or anyone, she is consistently sitting on her therapist’s couch, talking about her feelings.  Although she seems fine in the real world, her demons come back to haunt her when her mother comes and reminds Sam that she is from the streets as well and did plenty of things to survive when not having any money.

Both Alex and Sam have to find a way to escape their problems and do not have a better way than to turn on their television sets.  Alex is watching a series that has to do with a troubled paramedic, while Sam is watching a show about a thief that is trying to start a new life.  Religiously, the two have been watching each other’s lives, but one fateful night they are tuned in to their favorite show and are stuck looking at each other through the screen.  As the two try to figure out what is happening, their lives take drastic turns as there are people in their own stories that should not be interfered with, but not knowing how the story ends could be the most frustrating thing of all.

The Frame follows two complete strangers that have been following each other’s lives on their television sets for a few seasons.  Each one is intrigued by the other, but when they both turn on their televisions at the same time, they can see each other, watching.  Not knowing what is causing this, Alex and Sam try to figure out what is really happening.  The closer they are to getting answers, something or someone comes to intervene since it is not scripted for the couple ever be together.  The two are forced to fight for their lives, along with what they truly love, which could hurt them more if they get it, versus their normal lives without it.

An interesting story to say the least that I am still replaying in my head a days after watching it.  I love how the two different storylines tie together and then again do not.  When asked to explain what the movie is about, I can only say it is a science fiction mystery that faces off between reality and art and once you see it you will understand why.  It is dark enough that keep my attention, with enough going on in the background to keep you guessing who is living in the show and who is living in reality.  Happy Viewing.

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