Disconnect

We live in a constantly connected world that is dominated by smartphones, tablets, and other internet-ready devices. Technology allows us to always be within arm’s reach of the latest information and connects us directly with society in ways never thought possible. At the same time, however, it creates a rift between human interactions. Disconnect explores this two-edged sword and how it impacts the lives of one community. Being connected never felt so alone.

Disconnect revolves around four interconnected stories about communication and how technology has isolated them from relationships with the people they supposedly care most about. Rich Boyd (Jason Bateman) is a busy lawyer who’s preoccupied with his job more so than his family. As a result he’s oblivious to his son Ben being bullied at school. It isn’t until an attempted suicide that he delves into his son’s Facebook account to get a better understanding of what happened. Meanwhile, the kids who pranked Ben continue to communicate with Rich under the guise of Jessica. In another case, a couple has their lives turned upside down when their identity is stolen and their secrets come to light at the hands of a private investigator. Meanwhile, a reporter has her breakthrough story about teens performing on an adult-only cam site. In Crash-like fashion, each story is interconnected with each other, and many of the people will briefly cross into another’s storyline.

The overall theme of Disconnect is about how the overabundance of technology inhibits our relationships with one another. The film shows just how easy it is to create a fake profile on Facebook and drive a kid to attempt suicide after he is tricked into taking a naked picture of himself and it goes viral at his school. Cindy and Derek Hull (Paula Patton and Alexander Skarsgård) have their live savings taken away after being hacked by someone they talked to online. People have two identities; their in-person and their online personas.

Disconnect does a good job at showing both these sides of people and the frustration these events have on their lives. While they all share a similar theme, they’re different enough to keep audiences’ attention. Jason Bateman does a fantastic job at portraying a father on edge while his son is in the hospital, and it’s nice to see him in something more dramatic as opposed to his typical comedic role.

The only disappointing part of Disconnect is that it plays it safe and doesn’t take any chances in further exploring its themes. The film wraps everything up so nicely that is devaluates everything that preceded it. It’s too cliché and too perfect the really make any sensible impact, unfortunately.

Disconnect explores the influence of technology and an always connected digital lifestyle. While it feels like a halfhearted approach at times, the film puts on some great performances and interesting storylines.