This was my favorite film at the 2006 SFIFF. I found the improvisations very true to life. The bitter-sweet explosions of a struggling couple trying to complete something left unfinished is rarely painted in such a subtly nuanced and complex manner, as it is in this film. This is particularly evident during the scene where the two main characters are speaking to each other from separate beds, and through a closed door, alternately shouting and then whispering. We hear a monologue (as part of a two way conversation) knowing that this bit of dramatic irony (the person being spoken to cannot hear the dampened part of the delivery), like in Shakespearean tragedy, is lost, subsumed by entropy -- the phrase "my darling" (which could potentially turn the direction of the separation around), is spoken, but not delivered, not given. This is about love which exists, which is tremendously strong, but is withheld (at least temporarily) because of suffering, doubt, or exhaustion.
Also, sound was used to great effect, alternating silence and music to delay or accelerate time and emotions.
Also, sound was used to great effect, alternating silence and music to delay or accelerate time and emotions.