- Jesse E. Mullen
Night Thoughts does just that though. Set to the Suede album of the same name - and produced in collaboration with the group - the Night Thoughts film chronicles the effects that a tragic loss has on a couple and their extended family.
By telling the story solely through the actions of the independent actors on screen, it gives the characters a greater sense of reality. It also turns the focus on director Roger Sargent's vision.
A London-based photographer, Sargent uses a variety of techniques to advance the plot and demonstrate the mindsets of the characters on the screen. From the creative to downright experimental, these effects help set the film apart from others within the genre.
Especially is the removed-frames effect during an attempted suicide-by-overdose of the grandfather whilst "No Tomorrow" is played in the background, alllowing his fade from consciousness to resonate with the audience on a deeper level.
The faded, polaroid-like look of the flashback scene within "Tightrope" is also highly effective, and makes the context of the on-screen action all the more heartbreaking.
The choice of scenery is also very effective - and very British. The pub scenes and cobblestone streets evoke feelings of nostalgia for happier times, whilst the film's epic climax at the seaside recalls The Who's Quadrophenia film.
While the album is certainly strong enough to stand up on its own - it's not only one of Suede's finest, but amongst the best Britpop and Art Rock albums ever - Night Thoughts is equally haunting, cathartic, and ultimately enchanting on celluloid. It isn't easy to portray ruminations on tragedy and loss, but Sargent and Suede have succeeded on all counts.