I watched Carol Morley's Dreams of A Life the night before last. To say anything about the film is spoilerise it I suppose, but it's very powerful. It's the true story of Joyce Vincent, a 38 year old woman who died alone in her flat in Wood Green and wasn't found for 3 years. It's told mostly through talking head interviews with those who knew her, and dramatic reconstruction - I dislike both of these techniques, they remind me too much of crap TV which put me off the film at first, but the strength of the interviews, in particular drew me in. It begins with a portrait of a young, vivacious woman but there seems to have been a moment or series of moments in growing older, where she lost touch with her friends, was possibly/probably involved in some abusive relationships, and just ended up in quite a sad space, which she endeavoured to hide from those few who she still had contact with. To me, it felt like the story of someone drawing more and more into themselves. I was glad Morley didn't dwell on the macabre elements of the story, but more of the memories and sadness of those who knew her. It reminded me of a former partner of mine, actually and I think it's going to have these universal resonances for everyone especially anyone who's ever felt a twinge of loneliness.
