A multitude of people have come across a point in their life where they felt a strong connection with another person. We can be quick and impulsive of the idea that we might have just found “the one” that we miss the bigger picture of what being with someone will actually be like. Naturally, it is not surprising to come across another cliche film but Argyris Papadimitropoulos, director of Monday, takes us on the deeper and meaningful side of what these relationships actually become.
Mickey Henry, played by Sebastian Stan, is an American DJ who has spent the last seven years of his life in Athens. In the film, he is seen as the life of the party as he always seems to try to see and make the better out of unfortunate situations. We later come to find out he has a six year old son, Hector, who he is trying to get custody from his ex girlfriend, Aspa (Elli Tringou). On the other hand, Chloe Gains, played by Denis Gough, is a woman who also seems to have been interested in the idea of living in Athens, although she has not lived as long as Mickey has, she gave herself about a year to try it before leaving to Great Britain where she had a job set up by her ex boyfriend, Christos (Andreas Konstantinou).
Both characters initially meet at a party in a neighborhood where Mickey had a gig. Mickey’s friend, Argyris (Giorgos Papadimitropoulos) is one to know everyone and decided to pair up both Mickey and Chloe. After a couple more shots and some talking, one thing led to another and they end up having sex at the beach where in the morning are woken up by a crowd of people, including the police, shouting at them. Already, this begins a definite bond between them but what is interesting is that usually after people have gone through a huge problem, they tend to despise each other and never speak again. Considering the series of events they had encountered, Mickey realizes he might be falling for Chloe. With the help of his good friend, Argyris, Mickey pulls the classic airport run before the girl hops on the plane.
Verdict: 4.5 out of 5
Monday gives you all the good bits and pieces of meeting someone in the beginning, like introducing the honeymoon phase and later reveals the hardships couples usually have to embark to test their love, trust, and determination to stay together. Like, Papadimitropoulos, I personally admire all the phases of a relationship from the good to the bad, because in the end, it could all be worth it. It can take a lot for one to admit because one can never know if they are in love or simply alone and easily attached. In a way, I admired the scene where Chloe tries coke for the first time with Mickey and she impulsively begins wanting to do every single idea that popped into her head. She convinced Mickey to have sex, and of course he agreed, but right before they began, Chloe begins having a breakdown. For a woman, I saw this coming and I could almost feel what she was feeling and a little, but she admits to him how she loves him. Love can take you on a wild ride of emotions so much you can begin to question what you are doing with another person, simultaneously hilarious and depressing. Overall, Monday is a great film where you can learn or even understand a thing or two about relationships in a deeper sense.