Ian Ebright’s The Way We Speak is significant in its means of brutally reminding viewers of why our words matter. It’s outright cruel at times, a little slow, and yet intricately thoughtful in how it chooses character remarks. The screenplay counts tremendously in a film where the action focuses heavily on debates, and with this, both Ebright’s writing and directing coexist in an intricate marriage to make the discussions riveting.
Where there are conversations about religious beliefs, things are bound to get heated—ugly, even. In more ways than one, pride often seems to be the center of the most bitter remarks, and the film highlights how so because it focuses intently on inner turmoils and legacies. Starring Patrick Fabian, Diana Coconubo, Kailey Rhodes, Ayanna Berkshire, Lowell Deom, Ricco DiStefano, and more, Ian Ebright’s The Way We Speak also intricately dissects shared human fears.
Despite our religious beliefs or life experiences, people generally know fear a little too intimately. It’s impossible to believe that there’s a single person on this planet who doesn’t question their legacy or what they’re made for in life. And these questions, which frequently orbit around fears, are often the most prominent indicators of how pride manifests itself in a person’s life, making them choose the routes they do. Understandably, Simon’s lack of faith also makes sense when examining the details of his wife’s cancer diagnosis. It’s hard to have faith or believe in an unseen God when life is cruel and unfair.
Further, the characterizations of both Simon and Sarah also make complete sense because she isn’t without her turmoils, too and frequently, some of the biggest believers in God are those who’ve crossed through dark paths. Ian Ebright’s The Way We Speak doesn’t go too deep into this idea but centers on how these conversations must always have balance. Regardless of human beliefs, love and grief are two of the most universally felt emotions, which then allows the characters to find common ground in a gut-wrenching final moment.
Our words matter—whether in a debate, a review, or in an ordinary and private conversation. As humans, we aren’t always great at choosing the right words because while some come very easily, others take years and years to grasp and learn. Sometimes, change is instantaneous. Other times, the planted seeds sprout just a tiny bit every day to indicate that understanding is coming to the surface. The decision to stop the debate and end the film at a table amid a quiet conversation is excellent. It’s heartbreaking to see where it all comes to a slow unraveling.
The film paints both Simon and Sarah in such a complex light that it’s impossible not to root for them both—to hope that they can find common ground and understand one another’s perspectives with the type of respect necessary to indeed coexist. It’s a complicated yet simple fix, really—all religions deserve acceptance, yet as humans, we make it far more complicated than it has to be strictly because of the way we choose to speak.
The Way We Speak is now available for digital purchase.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: Gravitas Ventures