“The Drama” doesn’t just spill the proverbial tea, it drops a nuclear truth bomb.
Robert Pattinson and Zendaya play lovers confronted with quite the dealbreaker in the film written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli (“Dream Scenario”). “The Drama” (★★★ out of four; rated R; in theaters April 3) is a moral thought experiment conducted amid a disaster-filled deconstruction of the romantic comedy. And given the plot's somewhat jaw-dropping twist, it’s also one of the boldest, brashest movies in some time.
Wedding week is going pretty OK for Boston couple Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya). They’re stressing a little about their individual speeches and looking back on their awkward meet-cute, inopportune first kiss and various personal quirks. They meet up with their married friends Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim) for a taste tasting of their reception vittles and a drunken airing of the worst thing each of them has ever done.
Charlie, Rachel and Mike’s confessions range between youthfully jerky to downright repugnant. But then Emma tells hers and, hoo, boy, it’s a doozy. She wins in a walk-off with something that floors everyone.
Without saying too much, Borgli pushes an extremely hot button – nay, smashes the thing – and it alters the entire movie. Rachel is instantly against her in every way. Charlie is at a loss, and in the next few days he lets it take over his entire psychological being. And Emma herself has work through some old feelings while also navigating a rocky path to their big day that has an implosive effect for those around them.
