Comedian Isabel Hagen has a lot on her plate in her directorial debut, On a String. Not only is she directing the film, but she is also writing it, starring in it, and is a producer on the project. As history has shown us these debuts are either one massive trainwreck or a masterpiece. And as for On a String, it lies somewhere in between. It has the foundations for something special as it mixes themes found in films such as The Worst Person in the World and Whiplash, but it’s dull execution holds it from greatness.
We follow Isabel (Isabel Hagen), a young, Juilliard-trained violist still living at home with her parents in the heart of New York City. She is trying to make a living by playing gigs with her friends in the homes of strangers. However, when her toxic ex-boyfriend reappears, who is the “new and hottest” cellist in the Philharmonic orchestra, he informs her of a new viola opening in the prestigious orchestra. So she makes it her goal to audition for the prestigious position, even if it costs her own ambition.
As previously stated, On a String, has the foundations for a fantastic film. Our protagonist Isabel, is struggling to keep her head above water as she is spiraling in burn out. Her life is nothing but a repetitive cycle of practice, side-gigs, and playing in her quartet. She has no social life, she has lost her passion for music, and it all begins to weigh her down as she feels like a failure. This is not the life that she has imagined for herself and is struggling to find her passion again. Hagen drew inspiration from her own experience when she experienced burnout when she attended Juilliard.You can feel the personal nature of the narrative as I related to Isabel’s experiences as I, myself am experiencing burnout with my current job occupation. However, On a String, feels afraid of its own narrative.
Throughout the film, On a String, has this cringe comedic tone as Isabel is navigating her burnout. Her daily life is filled with nothing but awkward interactions from her family, friends and strangers. And to give the film credit, it nails how awkward life can be. However, when the film is trying to explore its subject matter of burnout, instead of diving in head first, it backs out of it and throws in a cringy situation to cover it up.The film is terrified of its own subject matter. It doesn’t want to dive into the gritty reality that burnout causes. Where is the spiraling depression, the mental breakdowns before work, or the never-ending nights of crying yourself to sleep? These essential, messy themes of burnout are nowhere to be found as On a String. They are vaguely mentioned, but never explored as the film doesn’t commit to its own story. So it begs the question; why introduce it if you are not gonna to use it?
Overall, On a String, had the potential to be a breakout indie feature. However, when the film is more focused on being an indie “dramedy”, rather than an honest and personal exploration of burnout, you get a very frustrating film. Where instead of appreciating the film in front of you, you find yourself mourning what this film could have possibly been.
My Rating: C
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