Louder Than Bombs 2016

Several years prior to the unfolding events of this poignant narrative, Isabelle Reed, a talented conflict photographer, tragically lost her life in a car accident. In the present day, a retrospective showcasing her remarkable body of work is set to be revealed alongside an article detailing her life and untimely demise. This development thrusts her husband, Gene, into a tumultuous emotional upheaval, especially as his younger son, Conrad, who was merely twelve when Isabelle passed, remains oblivious to the heartbreaking truth that she died by suicide.

Conrad is wrestling with intense feelings of anger and turmoil; his behavior is increasingly erratic, bordering on suicidal ideation. He often immerses himself in thoughts of his mother and her death while developing a fixation on one of his female schoolmates. Meanwhile, Jonah, the eldest son of Isabelle and Gene, arrives to visit his father and brother, delving into their mother’s artistic legacy before it is destined for a museum exhibition. Although Jonah projects an air of normalcy and stability, he is unwilling to confront the reality of his mother’s passing, going so far as to censor her work by deleting photographs he believes reveal an affair.

During an unexpected encounter at the hospital, Jonah crosses paths with Erin, an old flame whose own mother is battling cancer. In a moment of vulnerability, Jonah allows Erin to assume that his wife is also facing a similar plight, demonstrating the emotional complexities at play in his own life. After his visit with his family, Jonah finds himself drawn back to Erin’s presence, leading to a secretive encounter where he confides his struggles regarding his mother and her tragic end. Upon leaving Erin’s home, Jonah opts to return to his father’s house, fabricating a story to his wife that the family requires his support more than he anticipated.

As Jonah forms a closer bond with Conrad, the latter shares excerpts from his diary that illuminate the thoughts driving his unconventional behavior. Conrad is eager to share his diary with Melanie, the girl he harbors feelings for, yet Jonah warns him against it, fearing ridicule. Undeterred by his brother’s advice, Conrad prints his diary and leaves it at Melanie’s doorstep, taking a courageous step to express himself.

Meanwhile, Gene entrusts Isabelle’s work to Richard, an old friend tasked with compiling her artistic contributions for the upcoming exhibition. In a startling revelation, Richard discloses to Gene that he and Isabelle had engaged in a clandestine affair during their time together abroad, but she had no intention of rekindling it upon returning home.

The anticipated article is published sooner than expected, sending Jonah into a tailspin of despair as he grapples with the public unveiling of their mother’s life and struggles. Gene, caught off guard and unable to relay the news to Conrad in time, attempts to reach out to him; however, Conrad opts to attend a party instead, where he seizes the opportunity to connect with Melanie. As they walk home together after a night of drinking, Conrad inquires about the validity of the article, to which Gene provides a measured yet painful response, admitting the truth while asserting that Jonah is not coping well.

Despite his avoidance of responsibilities at home, Jonah reluctantly accepts Gene’s offer to drive him back. As they journey together in the car, a reflective moment occurs when Conrad recounts a dream he had, in which his mother returns from abroad bearing a child—revealed to be an elderly man who happens to be Jonah’s own baby.