A successful young man's world view is turned upside-down when he inherits his great-great-grandfather's diaries, and starts pursuing the mystical geometric theories held within. Based on a short story by Ian McEwan.
Acting
McGregor's unraveling is genuinely unsettling in 30 minutes flat.
Writing
McEwan's prose does heavy lifting; dialogue barely exists and it works.
Direction
Lawson trusts the short story structure, no fat, all dread.
Director
Denis Lawson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Denis Lawson is Ewan McGregor's uncle in real life; this was their only on-screen collaboration.
McEwan later expanded similar themes in 'Saturday'—this short is the rawer, angrier first draft about men who think too hard and feel too little.
US
