WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN | Omeleto
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- Опубліковано 4 чер 2023
- A man is dumped before the wedding. Years later, she shows up at his door -- unannounced.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN is used with permission from Colman Hayes. Learn more at / colman_hay_hey_hay .
Clara arrives, unannounced, at the doorstep of Brian. Years ago, Clara and Brian were engaged to be married. But a few weeks before the wedding, Clara called it off and she and Brian broke up, breaking Brian's heart.
Both have moved on, with Clara marrying someone else. But now Clara has reappeared in Brian's life, hoping to reconnect, only to find that time does not heal all wounds.
Directed and written by Colman Hayes, this short drama is a snapshot of two people re-encountering one another after years apart. Quiet, observant and restrained, its spare dialogue and strained emotional tenor capture perfectly how the pain of a breakup can still linger and affect us, even years after the fact.
Essentially a simple scene between two people in a single location, bookended by shots of Clara alone in her car before and after the conversation, the storytelling nevertheless manages to mine rich emotional terrain within its narrative confines. The visuals themselves have a melancholic bent to them, with cool, muted tones, composed but still framings and little movement. There is a sense of sadness and quiet that endows the film's atmosphere with a sense of reserve and hesitance -- qualities that match each character's approach to one another.
Much of the heavy lifting comes via the sculpted, precise dialogue. Though it's often halting and awkward, owing both to the loaded emotional nature of the relationship and perhaps Brian's stoicism, it nevertheless parses out careful information that illuminates the backstory of Clara and Brian's relationship, as well as plants clues of what transpired in the years since their parting.
Actors Paul Sparkes and George Hanover as Brian and Clara, respectively, deliver subtle and precise performances that work well within the film's framework of restraint. The conversation between them is a potentially melodramatic situation, but the disciplined dialogue and performances avoid the pitfalls of florid emotion or sentimentality. Both characters are grappling with deep emotion underneath the polite, somewhat chilly surface, and the tension comes not just from seeing if there is still a hope of a spark between them, but whether or not the dams of emotion will break and allow them to say what they truly feel to one another.
Many people will relate to the idea of a romantic "what if" situation, wondering if ending a romance was a mistake and how life would be if it had worked out. Thoughtfully crafted and emotionally perceptive, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN takes that common situation as a jumping-off point for its storytelling, slowly transmuting the dreamy gauze of wistful fantasy into a forensic examination of how romantic wounds linger, even as life goes on. We can move forward but we still carry those sorrows, especially if they remain unresolved and their sting remains sharp, unhealed by time. - Фільми й анімація
Hey guys! I'm Colman. I'm the writer / director for Where Have You Been. Hope you liked the film and feel free to hit me up in the comments if you have any thoughts/questions. Thanks so much!
A lovely, gut-wrenching film, Coleman. Your actors were fantastic, and your direction and writing was spot-on. Dripping with subtext in every movement, every word, and every glance. Congrats on a great work. And if I may be so bold as to make a supposition, I hope making this film was a cathartic experience for you in helping to work through your grief over the "Clara" in your past.
-Signed, A Fellow Brian.
@@dcnole Thanks for the feedback, it's great to see the story and the themes resonating with people. The actors are truly fantastic, really conveying the different shades of past love lost - so thank you. Haha, I've no response to your supposition, but thank you for your kind words x
Great job man
@@collinmkhanye8023 thanks, much appreciated :)
Perfectly choice words and scenery. If you could write more on this genre, it would be great.
I think people missed when he asked if her husband knew she was there with him. She says no. That’s a sign that she’ll never change. Once a cheater, alway a cheater.
Yep
💯
Indeed.
Not that simple. She is pretending to still have a husband, but at the end she removes her wedding ring.
@@Claudg2008 to put it simply, she wanted to have her cake and eat it too. She did not want a losing hand! That sucks
This is an excellent depiction of the emotional control that a man should strive to get to. He obviously still loves her, but he's able to assess her behavior correctly and not get sucked in. He knows she still loves him in her way, but she's still not able to be completely honest or loyal. The fact that he lives in the house they discussed buying together means that he thinks about her every day. He keeps the same photo that she does. They obviously know one another in a way that stays constant over time. Yet, he knows that he cannot go back to someone who left him so unkindly. Perfect Stoic man.
It's incredibly selfish of her. Completely ruin this man for any other relationship, leave and don't tell him why and not to contact her again, only for her to come back after she lived a full life with kids and a husband and wants to play with the toy she discarded after realizing the new one wasn't as good. I wouldn't have taken her back either.
Doreen, you did a good job putting it into a nut shell. These days it seems hard to admit that a man can be a victim.
I wish people were actually that stoic in real life. I wish I had been and moved on right away.
It was very nice reading your comment. You articulated the film quite well. 😊
@@Not_Always I wouldn't have even let her in the house. She's scum. She cheated on him with another guy, dumped him, then comes crawling back later as a married woman looking to cheat on her husband with him. No, sir.
2:00 When he left her cup of tea at the counter, for her to pick it up herself.
That was him carefully, deliberately maintaining his distance.
Good observation 😊
I noticed that too, and then he looked out the window and didn’t even invite her to sit until a few moments later. She also never removes her coat.
I caught that too.
I noticed that, too. At first I thought he was being rude, but it may have been simply establishing a psychic barrier.
Never should have let the psycho brat in his house.
I like it that she tried to pull off her ring but to find out its stuck - perfect symbolism of where she is now....stuck.
So she basically admits to cheating on him, then has the audacity to ask if it's too late, SIXTEEN YEARS LATER?! I don't think I've ever hated a character more, in such a short time. Well done!
IKR.. this non-story is such a nothing burger it's actually frustrating.
Her taking off the wedding ring opens up the possibility that there is no husband or family.
@@theredbaron5117 Absolutely, like that high school crush who rejected you cause you probably looked ugly back in the day and now suddenly had a glow-up and made the bucks and living the life. The fact that she had the audacity to even ask that question boils my blood.
She tried to but it wouldn't come off. It symbolized that she was stuck with her mistakes. @@tostiggodwinson
Lolllll me too....such entitlement 😂
Selfish woman to come back and torment this guy because her choice of men didn’t work out. I would have been disappointed if he’d taken her back.
In modern Russian there is such wording translated literally: "alternative airfield". That's how she treated him, I guess.
@@danielmilyutin9914
I know what you mean «запасной аэродром» 😊
In English they use to say “he is a second choice” or “an option”, not a priority.
Idk, maybe she saw it as “the grass is always greener on the other side” (of a street). Which in response people may say: “the grass is greener where you water it”.
But “you cannot have a cake and eat it (the cake) too” or “you cannot have it both ways” («за двумя зайцами погонишься ни одного не поймаешь»)
She didn't age as well as he did.
What makes you say "her choice didn't work out"? We have no reason to think that the guy she picked did anything wrong. The only thing we have evidence of is that she's unfaithful. Therefore the safest assumption is that she cheated on her husband too.
@Apostate1970 and that the marriage isn't a happy one, and so, she's reminiscing her past as to find a safe place. But she got dumped again. Good to see that.
I enjoyed it, esp when she asked, “why didn’t you try to make contact?”
“Because you asked me not too.” Perfect response.
That he honored her wish to not contact her also says that he would have contacted her. That his answer to “is there a chance” was, “I don’t think so”, shows mo animosity, no desire to hurt. It was a gentle let down while being unequivocal. A vehement no would show he is still not over her, feels the need to hurt. The calm “I don’t think so” says there is no there-there.
@@ivanobar1 Grrat point!
I am learning English, In this very phrase I went crazy , seems she is whispering, I don't know even American people can get the message.
@@ivanobar1 Stoicism teaches never to stoop to the level of other people. Always maintain your dignity & principles.
To say men don’t listen.
Betrayal leaves a wound that never completely heals.
The healing does leave a scar that will always be there.
You are absolutely correct. Thirty-four years and counting.
Agreed. BTDTGTTS.
For everyone involved. Including the guilty party. Unfortunately, they can never truly admit it until too much water has gone under the bridge.
It should heal
We cant hold the pain forever
She cheated on him, got pregnant by another man thus, broke off engagement. Thats why he asked elder daughter's age.
He never married, no ring on finger and picture of the woman still on the shelf hidden away behind other pics. She is probably divorced now, took the ring off in the car and regrets what she did to him. Still the woman is an egoist, hiding that her relationship failed. His smile in the end says it all when he says its too late. He is more content in life. She will live on regret.
very good observations, I didn't pick up on when he asked "elder daughter's age" but yes that indeed must imply that he knew which of her children was the oldest and the rest of the deductions follow
I wonder why she would've gone there pretending to still be married and then asking him if there was a chance they could make another go round.
It does say in the description “ both have moved on and married other people”. I don’t know if this was a mistake or bad wording, but some comments on here believe he was married once before. But I think you misinterpreted his expressions. He still loves her but cannot be with her. He is not happy. If he was he would still not have that pic of them and looking at it that way. He’s held on to that pic for more than 16 years. Not the sign of a happy, content man.
I don't think he smiled at the end. She did, in a hopeful way, and it hurt her when he said no. But what else could he say?
Now that question makes sense, he lived in that house for 16yrs and her child is 16.
Moral of the story, once you walk away, keep it walking. This man's composure is off the charts.
She said her oldest was 16 years. And 16 years ago is when they broke up. Anyone else think that child might be his?
@@Zidbits
No way unless she got her Maths wrong.
@@Zidbits I don't think so. He didn't ask so he likely knows the child isn't his. That would be a pretty explosive situation if he found out he had a sixteen year old daughter he was robbed out of raising and watching grow up.
@@Shadow_Banned_Conservative The child would be implied to be an affair baby.
The blooming flowers printed on his cup vs the printed small flower in her flower reflect how much each has grown over 16 years. The small details are amazing.
Didn't notice that, great catch.
@@augustcanyon3438 Thanks! ^_^
@@orangeorangeness2116 Wow, just amazing. I am so glad for yours and everyone that see various angles. A sober short-film that reminds of maturity
@@wanaced6 💕
Wow amazingly poetic❤
She portrayed herself as married. He is moral. Didn't want a relationship based on cheating. And frankly, she portrayes herself poorly twice. Once for leaving amd once for coming back when her marriage isn't working. Good on him.
Exactly! I had an ex leave me for someone else, then sometime later realised my worth and came begging for me to take them back, I asked one question and that was if they had left the other person before coming to try and win me back. They said no. I said well you also have your answer with that. They proved they had not changed at all. I felt closure and was able to move on because of it.
At least she left him before they got married. I wish my ex-wife dumped me before our marriage being married to her was by far the loneliest experience in my life. I never felt so alone, then when I was married to her.
I totally agree. I had a fall on stairs and the partner in my life was not reliably there. It is an awful feeling lying in an emergency room when married, and they are off "in the wind" somewhere. You build up more internal resources and a "buddy network' when you a salty middle-aged Merry Divorcee! : )
There's no worse thing than being lonely in a relationship that matters
I agree, been there, done that. Never again, I'm alone and content.
I know your feelings exactly
You poor thing. After 23 years of marriage, I can honestly say it’s not all roses and unicorns. I think it’s niece to think there’s a “Happily ever after” with zero conflict/ issues until death. No body’s perfect
I got cheated on by a girlfreind while visiting relatives by a guy I worked with, We went our separate ways. I bumped into her a year after, she asked if I wanted her number and simply said "No". I didn't regret turning her down as I couldn't trust her to be loyal after that.
Good for you, as the old saying goes "Once a cheater, always a cheater." I think you'll do fine without your ex.
Trust is like fine china. Once it is broken even if it is glued back together it will never be the same.
"Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: It might have been."
-John Greenleaf Whittier
Very well stated!
Though I would argue "I dont love you anymore" is more sad
The old saying never go back is perfectly conveyed here. Subtle powerful acting. So much pain and regret encapsulated in 8 minutes and 36 seconds. Simply superb....
Gary: I prefer another version of that saying:
'You can never jump into the same river twice - You can jump in twice, but it's never the same river.'
There's one major thing missing here and thats an apology.
For someone to deeply hurt someone close to them, and then decide to get back together, and rely on "time healing all wounds"- that's adding insult to injury.
If, however, the person can honestly assess their decisions, acknowledge their mistakes, and carefully and genuinely convey a deep and meaningful apology to the other person, there is a possibility of forgiveness.
Without forgiveness, the hurt itself is simply too great to be glossed over.
I don't know why so many people miss this point in life. Perhaps we have to teach our children the significance and value of genuine apologies, whether for things small or large.
The attempt to reconcile was the apology. Forgiving does not mean forgetting.
@@rgsmith1966 that's the problem. She thought it was an apology. It was NOT an apology. An apology would be taking the time to carefully and genuinely articulate her regrets, her remorse, and her feeling bad that she hurt him. There was none of that. She was just being selfish. Not caring about having hurt him.
That's exactly my point. People think they can hurt someone and then "reconcile" without actually fixing what they've broken.
@@rgsmith1966 attempting to reconcile is not an apology; an apology is what makes an attempt to reconcile possible.
@@justincase7848 What could she have possibly said to him that would've mattered? "Sorry I hurt you?" There's no fixing anything and this situation is way past an apology.
She did say "sorry, by the way." That was the tip-off to her narcissism.
This happened to me. Fell in love with a girl my freshman year in college. She twisted my heart around for the fun of it and ended it right at the start of my sophmore year. I dodged her around campus for a few years after that and eventually we went our separate ways. Then, last year, she contacts me on Facebook; "I'm sorry for how I treated you back then." Mind you, this relationship started in 1979, ended in 1981, so she is contacting me over FOURTY YEARS later. I thought about really laying into her but, frankly, I didn't care enough to engage with her. I was gracious enough but really just wanted to end the contact as quickly as possible. Knowing her personality, she was probably trying to re-start something, but it would have been ridiculous to consider 39 years ago, now it's just a bad comedy. She was very important to me once, true, but I learned my lesson; and for myself, I learned that hate can sometimes be a lot better for me, for my sanity and self-respect, than love.
To be honest, if you hate it means she is still in your head. The best revenge is forgivenes, as if she never existed while your life gets better.
@@atlantishorizonNope the best revenge is indifference.
@@RakieemF Forgiveness is better than revenge, revenge takes up your mental energy and fills your heart with a level of corruption you. If you forgive you let go and you don't let someone else actions affect who you are, your heart is no longer tied to the offender and you can proceed with life, free.
@@Shwnm1490 Nope indifference is what I was taking about. Indifference is not love or hate. It is to lack interest, concern, or sympathy. It is the complete opposite of those paradigms. In other words you simply do not care. That is way better than forgiveness or amnesty any day of the week.
Dodged an arrow there mate. Well done.
16 years to do so.
Arrow 😂
@@yennefer440right😂
Been there, done that, dodged the bullet too. Summer 2016 I was that dude!
@@yennefer440 From Cupid I think
This man is good for sci-fi movies and as a commander for spacecraft scenes..
Haha, yeah he has that stoic look about him
He looks like he acted an episode of black mirror
"Something's coming."
What's coming?
"Something wonderful."
"This is very difficult for me. You have three days."
Three days? We can't be ready in three days!
"Nevertheless, you have three days. Goodbye."
Lmao because of how right you are 🤣🤣🤣
Her oldest son was sixteen, it was sixteen years ago she dumped Brian, she had obviously been unfaithful and married the childs father. Brian always knew but they had never spoken until now. Clara realised then there was no going back after Brian asked her kids and ages. A short quiet piece but just bursting at the seams as the comments show, loved reading the interpretations from various angles, imagine the work that went into writing "Where Have You Been" excellent stuff. Thank you.
Thank you!
Or her eldest' father is Brian.
@@ladybird761 Exactly! She didn't want to pressure him. I think he didn't want kids way back, and her family didn't want her to have a child with or without marriage. They tried to force her to adopt the child out, but she couldn't. Then, she had to marry some guy, because her family made her. She always loved Brian.
@@SavageInsomniacRadioyeah, it's never a woman's fault.
@@SavageInsomniacRadio Where did you got all these information?
Wow. Her oldest child is 16. He bought the house 15 years ago. She is married and her current husband has no idea she is there. Once a cheater, always a cheater. Glad he didn’t fall for her ploys the second time around.
I had 2 ex-fiances to contact me 15+ years after our relationship ended. I was married, when they called, and I conversed with them, as I would an old friend I hadn't seen in a long time. We laughed and joked. Then the call ended. They never called back. Then, I realized, that what I did was let them know that I had moved on, was happily married, and what was past is past. In my opinion, this is the best reaction to an old flame's phone call out of the blue.
This was *_really_* good, beautifully played by the two actors 👏👏, it's also nice to see an example of a stoic man who will forgive but not forget that level of betrayal...
How can he forget? That she is even there is betrayal against her current husband. She is demonstrating exactly the same behaviour.
He sees it. He even calls it out, albeit in a most civil fashion, but lets her know that he is awake to it nevertheless.
Let God do the forgiving, I do not.
I have been grieving all year. I was heartbroken last year…shattered. This gives me so much hope and encouragement. Thank you all for your comments. They were really enlightening and inspiring. I loved my ex so bad…and she too left me for her ex. I was extremely good and loyal to her…anyway, I haven’t contacted her in a long time and it’s been devastatingly hard. I was able to see through the comments like this woman, my ex never really cared but only for what she wanted. Thank you guys again for your comments🙂 and thank you for writing this beautiful story. It might’ve saved a life
This was GREAT. Wonderfully acted and directed. Clara represents the type of woman who could never be satisfied with what she has and always have to do something horrible, like hurting someone, to get what she wants. Yet, when the consequences arise, she then feels remorseful. So, she decides to go back to the man whom she had wronged for her personal comfort. And the fact that she never truly apologized to Brian showed that she isn't sorry for her actions. She's actually sorry about the consequences that came with her actions.
I love how Brian was stoic yet cordial towards Clara, yet we could still see the pain in his face and eyes. It shows that he is a strong person to keep calm and is level-headed despite the pain occurring within him due to his ex reopening the wound by showing up at his home for personal comfort. And the times when he would look away from her when talking directly to her says a lot. You can tell he loved her and wanted to spend his life with her. Unfortunately, her betraying him ruined that and he had to move on with his life.
They're called exes for a reason.
Well said!
👏👏👏👏
Brian was a fool for having any feelings for this woman. She definitely was not worthy.😆
You are reading things into this, they are actors who are reading a script.
@@richardlasch8400You're heard of "art", right?
I went from anger verging on hatred when I was left at the altar essentially by my fiancee. She just left, she was pregnant a few months later. Not mine, I always thought I'd just hate her forever bc I'd loved her so much, begged God to bring her back now I don't think I could stand the sight of her,
Be strong my fellow man! If it was meant to be, she wouldn't have left you.
great honesty, takes guts to share this stuff, people appreciate it not from a nosy or gossip standpoint but from the human experience.
@@davidcononie thanks man I was embarrassed but not as much now
So sorry my man. I hope you are doing a lot better now.
@@robluxipiech4033 Dude. You dodged a bullet. God works in mysterious ways. Thank the Lord and move on.
She came back 16yrs laters to rip his heart out a second time
I am pretty sure the guy wants to be single... There is no way in hell a way more beautiful and honest women did not make it through his path.
she's sitting in the car, filled with regret, guilt, etc, He's looking at that photo, thinking what could have been, but not with regret, she did him a favor really, he goes back out to his collection of cars, motorcycles, or to his workshop or studio and carries on with his new life like he did 16 years ago.
Yes, I agree. In my own way I am this guy. I dread the day she may turn up one day to destroy the hard won happiness and contentment created since she went.
I think the significance of 16 is that she has a daughter aged 16. which likely means she cheated and was pregnant and hence why she left.
I love how he's constantly reminding her of the life SHE chose. "You're married. Remember that. Don't try that with me. You made your bed, keep lying in it."
"The audacity of this woman" - my expressions the entire time watching this 😮
😂 same reaction I had!
Basically she had a bunch of kids, hit the wall hard, then decided to make a play for original guy.
@@WadmanP People like that will always find a way to take care of themselves. She would be on to another possibility.
I genuinely hate people like this in real life. Treat people right when they're in your present. Don't try to reinsert yourself after you've done them wrong. That's such a self-centered thing to do.
I totally agree with you!
actually i'm the man who's treated that way, for 15 years. So yeah.. i know how it felt.
People like her are called interlopers.
I disagree with this interpretation of things
She shows a lot of courage
@@marianephoto there is a difference between courage with dinity and despair without guilt
True story: She left me in 1997, claiming I wasn't "reliable" because I didn't drop everything to serve her desires _literally_ of the moment. She showed up again seven years later with her debt, illegitimate children, psychological problems and cellulite and wanted "to see if the magic is still there" once she had run most of her value out. I had to struggle to remember her name.
Cellulite!!! Do you have Xray eyes to be able to see through her clothing? 😄
@@CLord-gs7nj You're not clear on how mass works, are you?
@@steveouk90126 That is an interesting way to say that she gained weight. Peace.
@steveouk90126 Hugs to you brother! It is always a beautiful feeling when it is hard to remember their name.
@@CLord-gs7nj a tad defensive there, huh? Hit the treadmill, Chubs
Very well made. The man portrayed amazing self-control under very stressful circumstances. A sad but realistic piece. Well acted and produced.
I think that might just be his face/personality. He's probably brimming with intense emotions inside.
@@erinfield1943 that's what self-control is - being brimming with intense emotions but not showing that.
Hahah exactly @@TMARAT5
Well, this just breaks my heart. The regret of 'what could have been.' I wonder how many of us have that.
If we play "what if" games, what if has to include a total disaster.
I do. Hurts like hell
It is better to let go and live a life here and now.
I have an answer for this situation:
it’s better let them regret what didn’t happen, then let them regret what happened IF.
Because people like her will regret anyway. 😉
I once read the quote:"Of all the sad words of tongue and of pen, the saddest are these ' It might have been...' "
I find it especially poignant that he had their photo in a frame. Even that small detail shows how much more he valued their relationship than she ever did.
What an excellent insight.
They kept the same photo. The photo may have held different value to each of them but it also defines them.
His was in a frame so that he could display it on the mantle. Albeit behind other photos which have higher priority in his life but still visible.
He lives out in the open. He may not have what he dreamed of having but he has peace because he doesn't keep secrets.
Hers wasn't in a frame because she had to keep it hidden. Pressed between the pages of a book? Under the lining of a drawer in her cupboard? In an old box of mementos in her desk at work? She may have valued the memory and harboured regrets but not enough to be up front. Not enough to risk disrupting her life.
She has learned nothing. She has not grown. She still lives in hiding.
Yea small details in this movie are great, photo is there but behind to indicate its significance vs other things he values in his life but still framed.
Hers is not framed.
Good catch
hers is not framed as she probably had to keep it hidden.
I just realized something about the beginning, when you see a picture of them both being held by the woman in her car before she exits her vehicle…… I now understand why he kept the same exact picture in his home; to remind himself how far he’s come and how much better off he is without her. That is why that picture in the picture frame on his mantle is specifically placed in the back. This also shows he has moved on.
I don't think he did completely move on - he just knows the time has passed and the wounds can't be closed. He still has her photo on the mantle meaning he can't let them go but puts it way behind so it does not remind him every time he looks at those photos.
or maybe the picture that was at the front of those two is now at the back. His life has continued. SHe may think there is hope from the picture being there but it may be showing that she has been pushed into the past and the very back of his mind@@Bergen98
Excruciatingly beautiful. The actors were just perfect especially Paul Sparkes. He created this intensity that communicated pain, longing, remorse and acceptance all with his facial expression and line delivery. My heart ached for him. This was absolutely incredible. A good short for me always leaves you fulfilled but longing for more. This truly exemplifies that for me. Bravo.
The pain of people always leaving you for someone else. Then treating you as a last resort. It sucks.
That line she says when he asks if she wants sugar “I gave it up, some time ago” I think she’s talking about losing the sweetness in her life after she quit him.
Good point.
Nicely observed.
English teacher's analysis be like
She gave up so much years ago.. good catch... and I think it runs deep!
Or she gave up on her sugar daddy 😂
Excellent dialogue with subtle clues and perfect delivery. When he asks her Do you still take sugar? I believe he alludes she had left him for a wealthier man. She replies naively, but then realizes it and one can sense the awkwardness. Then, when she asked him: Do you ever think about me? What do you think about? and he says: A day like today, I believe that sums up the whole film. He knew her decision was wrong and she would be sorry and would one day realize it and come back to him. And by keeping the house he was able to show her exactly what she missed. As the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold. Also, superb conclusion of her remaining a prisoner of her unhappy marriage, as the ring fails to come off her finger in the end.
Great observation
Or was she not really married at all?
I don't think it was about revenge. And I don't think sugar meant some rich man, either.
@lexgabriel4239. I agree, she chose the richer man, but she loved him. Not from the sugar comment though, that’s an interesting interpretation! I just took that as he knew her very well & remembered. A considerate man. A thoughtful man. But the early scene /view of a fancy I think handbag in the car I think it was leather. & her general look seemed like that pared down tailored wealthy….
Whereas in the chat he talked about it took a long while to renovate & she expressed surprise he even purchased it. I thought she was surprised partly becoz she didn’t know he could afford it, & partly becoz of the sentimental value it had for them together; If he were wealthy he could’ve fixed it up in no time.
The irony that she can't see all the reasons not to become involved with her again is telling. She left this man to started a new relationship, has a family with three children 16 or younger, and is willing to simply leave it because she's unhappy.
It demonstrates an arrogance and contempt for everyone around her. His calm rejection of her makes it plain her time has past and she has no place with him.
But only because she has not changed.Him buying the house shows commitment and how he can hold his word.
She on the other hand, wants to leave the marriage and 3 kids just because things are not as she hoped.
She is looking for "grass that is greener on the other side" instead of committing and working towards better future and happiness.
Many are like this today.
Great short. Something similar happened to me.
When you traumatised, you learn to build boundaries for your safety.
He didn’t buy the house for both of them, she took off but he did stick true to himself because he liked this house (too). But only to grief on their dream and move on.
And, yes, he looked up for a day like this to get a closure. Because nobody asked his intake on what happened before (she made the decision for him too) and it’s abstract his compleat healing and compleat closure.
And, people like her always comeback, thinking it was great them to evoke such strong feelings, but still have nothing to bring to the table.
They say time heals all wounds, except where there is betrayal to a promise to marry. I don't think he hates her now, only pity that she made the wrong decision.
Been there. Done that...20-some years ago. Met her again 9 years later and it was very much like what was portrayed in this short though she never explained why she broke our engagement. This was after flying across the Atlantic to 'surprise' me. I have no idea why she decided it was necessary to fly all they way from the UK to see me after all that time.
I haven't spoken to her since.
@@TwoWolves She was unhappy in her current situation and wanted to see if you were still an option for her to escape to. It's as simple as that
@@vaiolover1997 The more realistic quote is "They say time heals everything, but I'm still waiting"
she left after 31 years and 3 kids plus an a child of hers from before. I bought a house a yamaha kayak a jeep and a few guns yeah i had a midlife crisis but never had more peace and less drama in all my life, while she has had 2 fiancee plus morbid obesity 20% kidney use plus COPD and a deluxe 1 bdr apt in the hood.
This is one of those 'been there', divorced for fifteen years, alone, 'done that', forever alone. Hard to swallow when it's all been failure.
Failure = First Attente In Learning, it does take life to learn sometimes 3 separations and 1 divorce lasted 14 yrs long under the belt. Single since 7 yrs now and very happy since then 😇 and no one night standing either 🤣👌👍
Why do they usually come back when you have already moved on?
Narcissism. Plain and simple. They cannot concieve of you moving on without them.
The one she ran off with probably can't stand her now!
I swear, for cheating women it's something like 99% of the time. It's practically a meme.
@@jjm152 It seems that way. I think that the cheaters attempt to return for only one of two reasons: They got dumped by the person they cheated with or they want confirmation that they made the "right" choice cheating on you so they come around to see what you have accomplished since the break up.
The only thing that I am positive about is they are not coming back because they love you.
So, she chooses to wear her ring in-spite of her failed marriage in an effort to deceive. She hasn’t changed. He sees through it and quietly soaks in the realization that he is actually living the day that was hidden in the back of his mind for sixteen years.
I think it's the opposite. Though her marriage is failing, she is still married. By wearing the ring, she chose NOT to deceive him.
I think it never occurred to her to take the ring off, maybe some hubris there, in any case she never considered how he might feel, just how she wanted him to feel
they seldom do change... men are more likely to change from such incidents.
@@eyeballbillyhe considers it at the beginning scene, she was going to take it off but decide to leave the ring on.
@@limitlesssky3050 no worries I'll watch it again thanks
I like how he didn't take her tea to the table.
He dreamed of the day she would return to him, only it was too long and too late, and by the time she finally did, he no longer yearned for her. All he had left was the pain of what she had done to him.
please include a subtitle or caption. i have to rewind again and again for some dialogue. I bet there are also many people who enjoy watching movie with subtitle
Thank you. I couldn't hear half the things they were saying, especially when dialogue is so quiet
ABSOLUTELY!!!! I find it so disappointing to miss bits of the dialogue here and there...Someone is to blame between the makers and Omeleto...What about deaf people? So disrespectful in these days....
@@felipelotas5609 Yes. and also it is easy to watch at the crowded or noisy place when subtitle is available.
I still don't know what he said before she said, 'looks can be deceiving.'
Thank you. "Deafness and hearing loss are widespread and found in every region and country. Currently more than 1.5 billion people (nearly 20% of the global population) live with hearing loss; 430 million of them have disabling hearing loss." (WHO).
If people can easily walk out of your life, especially when you were good to them. Let them go and NEVER take them back NEVER!
I forgot, don't give up on love. There is some one out there that want the same as you. I am a testimony of finding love again after heart break 😃💙💜🤎🖤i
I was dumped by the girl I was engaged to without any explanation. I still think about her now yet since she dumped me I had been married eighteen years. I'm on my own now with nothing but memories.
People always underestimate scar that they left on others
He dodged a bullet is all I can say! She's a self-centered narcissist without a care in the world in regards to how she hurt him... no apology just an attempt to play w/ his emotions to see if she can rebound w/ him after all those years... the nerve! She deserves to live w/ every bit of regret that she's feeling.
A Narcissist has no empathy or emotions from hurting someone. She obviously was in lot of pain, and even more after his rejection. These are not signs of self-centered narcissist. These are signs of someone who made a wrong decision 16 years ago and regretting it. She finally realized what true love was and followed it. Sadly he was not ready to accept her (and seems like he will never be).
@@DeepakMallickThat could be the case! An alternative interpretation is that her tears were only for herself - she's unhappy in her current marriage and is upset that her ex has moved on and rejected her (like she rejected him). Reasonable things to be upset about, but I don't necessarily see any empathy from her character here.
@@rhiannonr At least she showed genuine tears. He is being so strong that he refused to show any tears, even though she is still in his heart (the picture on mantle proves it, as well as the living in their dream home). So what did he get from rejecting her? Did he get equal satisfaction aka revenge? I really don't see why he is still holding on to something from 16 years ago. It's been almost 2 decades. Either let her go forever, or accept her. He is stuck in limbo and just wasting his life away. She came and showed him out of this limbo, and rejected her and went back to his solitude life. I guess that is his destiny, and he refuses to change it either with or without her.
@@DeepakMallickwasting his life away? he's lived his life. you don't have to throw away everything you own just because a relationship ends. a mature adult can value the good that a relationship brought into their life even after the relationship is over, and that's both platonic and romantic relationships. Maybe the time they were in love is some of the best years of his life? Why shouldn't he be able to remember a happy memory with a friend just because they didn't get married? Limbo would be him going after her and refusing to let go. He was never in limbo, she is. He values the past for the past and leaves it alone beyond that.
@@GwenActually Good points. Since you said he is a mature adult, then do you agree a mature person would live in the present -- not past or future? It's okay to remember and cherish the past memories, but it should not overtake your present life. Living in a dream home of a past lover, and keeping their picture on mantle, just seems like he is still stuck in the past, and not living for today. His today is the memories of the past. So in a way he is refusing to let go of the past, nor accept the present when she showed up at his door. He still loves her, but the past version of her. He did not love the present version of her. Whereas she is not in limbo. She lived in the present and enjoyed family and children. Now she wants to be with him in the present. So her motives were clear and in the present. His motives are still in the past, and stuck on the pain/heartache she gave him, seems very emotionally immature.
This is a perfect example of less is more - the shadows and silences are used to perfection. Excellent writing, acting, direction and script.
I got married to who I thought was a wonderful woman with an adorable son… after 2 months she ended it out of the blue, blaming me for all the mistakes I made. It was and still is incredibly heart breaking but im glad im not the only one to experience things like this.
beautifully shot...poignant...human...relatable....like a fine wine, many complex flavors, shades and tones. The beauty of the scene is that it perfectly exhibits so much of what it means to be human. What might have been, what still could be but cannot be. So lovely. Well done. Touching. In the silence of the scene there is screaming. The entire conversation is wrapped in the house that represents his heart and for his wishes of what might/should have been. The house is them, and yet it is empty, with only him there. Damn...so much in this. Just damn. I feel for them both, but for different reasons. It's human. It's sad.
"Do you ever think about me?" - "Yes, well, your ears mostly."
I loved this moving, excellent film but I too have been surprised that an actress cares so little about her appearance as not to cover her huge ears, no offence but distracts from the romantic ambiance.I'm surprised the make-up/hairdresser team didn't tactfully fix it.
I've been in romantic mood as I read through these comments and I got a sudden attack here,you made me burst into laughter.
Great writing. He could have said 'no'. which would have deeply hurt her. But he told the truth.... which may have hurt her more.
@@clementineclement5757 Wow... That is a very bold statement... "I too have been surprised that an actress cares so little about her appearance as not to cover her huge ears." I sure as hell hope no one shrugs off your effort, competence, or value by reducing you down to a single physical feature.
Gorgeously rendered. I went through a dumping, and several attempted reconciliations, with the same woman (my First Love) between the ages of 19 and 25 -- and I can relate to every gesture and facial expression in the beautifully-crafted piece. Like this man here, I was the one who effectively turned and walked away.
I've been with my current partner for nearly 44 yrs., now, and cherish my quirky, fascinating, growth-filled life with her.
One of the best I've seen on Omeleto. I had to watch it again. Haunting and thought provoking.
16 years apart. She has a 16 year old daughter. She was with the other man for at least as long. Thank god for our hero - he dodged a bullet.
13 years ago my ex of close to 30 years left me, explaining she married me "for all the wrong reasons". From the date of our last mediation, It's been 13 years of silence ever since. There have been many times I've just sat and looked out the window thinking about all this. I tried playing the field, it's pretty hollow out there. I'm getting old, so I don't see a reason to continue any pursuits. Anyway, she's moved 2 states away with her new man. Big ranch and horses. But I've been told she really doesn't have friends, and is now on rocky terms with one of her kids. She has 2 grandchildren she hasn't seen in 2 years. My vibe is I just don't think it went as well for her as she thought it would. She gave up alot for her man, I hope she outlives him.
An incredible depiction of both the beauty and the risk involved with complete devotion to another. He gave her his heart years ago and it’s been hers to keep ever since. It’s a shame he never healed from that betrayal but some wounds are too deep. Top marks for the actors and setting! The depth of pain conveyed with just a picture and a pot of tea was palpable.
I am quite jaded by a betrayal that, when told to others, impacts with a heft that seems to leave only "...no...?...NO!" as a response. Enough of my victimhood.
This is another brilliant piece showcased on an amazing platform. I am grateful for it.
I love films like this every once in a while. Very direct, no subtlty, yet adequately sombre.
If she had taken a moment to explain, apologize, and truly ask for his forgiveness, it may have gone differently. But because she wanted him to just 'take her back' without explanation proves that he dodged a bullet. The feelings are still there for them both, but he's had 16 years to wish for the day when she'd come groveling back and he'd do exactly what he did--politely turn her away. Well played, sir!
Yep, she wasn't sorry for leaving. She is just unhappy in her current situation
It’s cut and dry. In life, those who abuse your feelings should be gone, baby, gone! If you have been abused and used, you owe it to yourself to move forward simply because THAT person abandoned your person and your soul. Of course, there are exceptions, but lingering in the shadow of another human being deprives a discovery of the self!!!!
Totally agree with your statement, however, the "exceptions" better be real good!
I love the various interpretations everyone has. So beautiful. I enjoyed the delivery. Beautiful work!
As someone hopelessly in love with the love of her life from 15 years ago... this really hit hard. I wouldn't have his strength. I'd let myself get hurt all over again.
I liked this, then unliked it. I hope you research Growth Mindset Theory. Believe in yourself.
That is sad to know. I narrowly escaped being with the great love of my life…….I am so relieved I did….. I have no regrets now…….and yet I could have, it was an overwhelming love of great admiration……
@@carolwood9270 Do you still admire him today?
From my experience, I call this a man dodging a bullet. In truth she did him a favor, away from possible divorce, child support, alimony and possibly death.
So when things happen like this, especially in the West, men, thank God because that's Him looking out for you, since He sees what you don't see.
Yup, I dodged that bullet too. In my case, she waited 18 years to try and come back.
"In truth she did him a favor..."
Yes...and he probably knew that is short order. But it takes time to go from knowing it to realizing it.
After a time, if we decide, we can remember the pain without experiencing it again.
Finally a well made movie. I guess a few people understand nowadays what is a good movie as there are so few of them.
Congrats to this one! Keep it up!
"Once" - he was referring to her.
So subtle, but so powerful
Some people are saying he got married afterwards because the description says they both moved on and got married. However, she asks if there has been anyone or if anyone ever got close, to which he answers “no” and “once” respectively. I just think it’s worth clarifying that because the description doesn’t match the clues given in the dialogue.
Yup. Here's the spot where he says it: @3:31
He never married....
She broke his heart in such a way that won't allow him to love like that ever again.
Heart wrenching! Unfortunate that after 16 years of honoring a promise not to contact her,....she asks why he didn't. No wonder men are unable to read women's minds. "You asked me not to." Is perhaps one of cinemas classic reply's. If it isn't it should be because it tells us how much he loved her and wanted her to be happy.
As a man " because you asked me not to" was totally justified....we'll take that to our grave even if it kills us everyday...
I also loved that this was the reason and not something like "because I didn't want to". Of course, he still loved her but she asked him and he didn't do it because he knew it was hopeless.
I love the fact he doesn't assume anything of her. He asks her, "You still take sugar?" instead of assuming that she does. That he asks her questions doesn't force anything on her lets her answer or do things in her own time. Wonderfully done.
The way she smiles when he says he thought about her, shows how her ego so easily gets boosted. But he's too old for these silly games. Brilliant acting!
Great film. A lot told in ten minutes with spare dialogue, fine acting. Thank you!
Amazing piece Colman. The essence to this piece was so close to a lot of scenarios that we go through. I throughly loved the bit, and also the mood was so intensely grabbed, it felt good. Thumbs up man….
What drives me crazy about this situation is that every guy at some point has been through this where you really consider how honest you truly want too to be. The ex's perspective on things is completely selfish: You cheat, initiate the breakup, do what you want to do, etc. Then you come back and expect everything to be okay on your team. Whether you want the person or not is irrelevant. You wont' be able to trust them EVER agian.
I watched this short movie again and again. This is that good. Two actors are great. Every word,every glance has a meaning and shows their emotion. Portrait of the two from happy days was put in the back but still there in his house. They broke 16 years ago and her elder kid is 16 years old. When they talked about it,he understands the reason but didn't say anything. She says "Looks can be deceiving." It means the house she lives now only looks good but also means the guy she dumped him for looks good but not good inside. Every line was well polished.
I was choking
I underwent same rejection by my lady
And... I responded the same way
I just wanted to tell her I still loved her yet I held on to my emotions
I still do love her yet I m numbed by scars
She does not love you.
Very proud of you to stay true to yourself, wow, that must have hurt like hell...
You did the right thing, she's a creature incapable of love. She'll either leave again or you'll get get to know for sure she doesn't know how to love.
Great short. Regardless, what she did haunts both of them. The weight and sadness she carried for 16+ years shows on her face and the way she carried herself. Every element of this movie was so well thought out. The details were amazing. Lots of fantastic comments and observations here.
She most likely didn't give him a thought until the "new thing" fell apart. She is worthless and he dodged a bullet. Just ask her new husband. lol
I didn't see where she opened up enough to shed tears over her sadness. Women rarely apologize, especially for their indescretions or for betraying her groom like this. He was right to remain distant and cold. Of course it affects him, but not like it did 16 years ago...
I agree that the 2 of them acted really well. He expressed stoicism and pain. She expressed some regret, but not necessarily repentance. I hope to act as well as both of them.
Umm no you obviously don't know people or women when it started falling apart she started looking else where
Bradj: I disagree, it does not haunt her, it's just another act in an attempt to get what she wants, yet again. She would have apologised if it "haunted" her.
She's what I call a 'monkey woman' - won't leave go of one branch until she's got hold of another one!
This hits home.."greatest tragedy in life is to love and yet not have that love returned"
Great episode, this should be a teaching tool moving forward. When someone dumps/leaves you, leave them there in your past. Move forward in your life, you will eventually find someone worthy of you. 🤔🤔
No empathy for her character at all! Probably having a marriage crisis, got nostalgic of the past and wondered what if? Now the guy who never truly moved on will be a mess for sometime.
No, now he is truly free as he saw right through her.
@@beeARTcanada that’s a good point! I know it’s a film but it happens way too often in real life.
@@shirley_valente Absolutely.
She left him 16 years ago, yet she has a 16 year old child. Guess she cheated and has been living with that every since.
Is it too late ?...You had 3 kids with another man and ditched me. When he said " I think so " it gave me great relief.
I met this girl in Australia years ago. She became my best friend and I had a huge crush on her but she was stuck in her own head, depressed and anxious. Later on she started dating someone who got her pregnant within the first month. They ended up getting married a year after their first child was born. She later confessed to me that she really liked me and wishes we were together. She explained that sometimes she dreams about me and wonders what her life would've been like if she would've taken the jump.
Excellent interpretation.
Tyler: She's bullshitting you mate and playing on your emotions because she's desperate for someone to look after and provide for her and her kid.
I got with a girl when I was in the army. I told her straight up that in 8 months time I was gonna be moving elsewhere. I did end up moving elsewhere and she wasn’t part of it. Two years after she contacted me and says she regretted it. She realized I had a house now and things were going great. I told her this could have been you and me but you chose to throw it away. I loved her but I can’t be with someone who constantly questions themselves and let their insecurities dictate their life. She basically couldn’t take the plunge.
He shouldn't have even let her in the house.
She cheated on him while they were engaged, dumped him before getting married, went off and lived her life, then came crawling back for a second chance over a decade later because she's unhappy in the life she chose. Now she's a married woman trying to cheat on her husband with him.
No, sister---not in my house. You turn right around and go back where you came from.
I love this channel and how raw it can get. Can feel the emotion for them.
This was one of the most beautiful shorts I have ever seen! it struggles with the answer to the question 'Can we really go back and start again?'
I love how the emotions seem to fill in the empty space between the dialogue. Very well done! ❤
It took my ex-wife 27 years to contact me after our divorce. 27 years knowing she would come back to me and 27 years knowing she would not. Such a painful paradox.
Reminds me of receiving a phone call a year into my marriage. The caller was an old flame who dumped me twice and now had a child to support. My response was that I couldn’t help her and that I was married now. Year or so later I bumped into her and her family and told her sister that the child was beautiful and walked away.
I'm curious. Are you implying you thought it was your child?
Good question, but definitely not my child! Pregnancy occurred LONG after our relationship was over.
I always wonder why people think that the winner is one in the pair who breaks first. So often it is other way around
well done. excellent way to tell a story of sixteen years in so few minutes. love it. love the color grading, btw.
SO POWERFUL! My love, thanks and appreciation to the cast & crew.
Got dumped for another guy very early in the relationship. She was very upfront about it, that she dated him before me and wanted to see where it went because he found out she was dating someone else. Warned her he was just jealous she moved on and he wouldn’t stick around once he had her back. She didn’t listen and what I predicted happened.
Couple of months later, she contacted me, said that he dumped her, and hinted at getting back together. Told her she made her choice and that I was not her backup plan. Was very honest and told her she was naive and selfish and that she needed to get her life in order instead of wearing her heart on her sleeve. Guess the advice worked. She cleaned up her act, graduated university, and is happy now. She did apologize for what had happened between us long ago.
Love how this was written, it's clear he noticed some things hadn't changed and he didn't want to go back.
She cheats on him, has 3 kids with the man she cheated on him with, then just out of blue wants to abandon her current marriage for him because of whatever is going on in her current marriage. What a Piece of trash. Good for him turning her down.
She left this man before their wedding, got married with someone else, 3 kids. And now more or less wants to get back and destroy her current family. Great 🙄🙄🙄