4/5
Disconnect is a thought-provoking movie about human connections and social interactions. Ostensibly a meditation on the isolating nature of modern technology, there is nothing particularly modern about bullying, sexual desire, or con men. The stories depicted could take place at any point in time; they are merely upgraded to cyberbullying, pay-per-view webcams, and cybercrime/identity theft. The three distinct storylines only peripherally interact, which is perhaps itself meant to describe our contemporary isolation. Lonely and disconnected, the characters seek out comfort in the company of strangers. They allow themselves to be vulnerable and they get taken advantage of.
Technically, the movie works extremely well. For instant messaging and texting, Disconnect shows us transluscent screens that overlay real life. It is a simple but effective metaphor that speaks volumes. Except for that visual flair, the movie sticks with documentary-style realism and subtle acting. Each individual story feels authentic--and has probably happened hundreds of times already. But the best part of the movie is that it doesn't succumb to saccharine sentimentality in the end. It doesn't give us the happy ending Hollywood thinks everybody wants. It sticks with reality, and for that I am extremely thankful.
IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1433811/