Goodbye Stranger

It’s smooth sailing ahead for Paul, a hugely successful playlist curator for a music-streaming service. He’s pretty sure he’s about to land a major promotion, so he and his girlfriend have excitedly arranged to move from pedestrian, provincial Amsterdam to ultra-cosmopolitan London. Then a spanner is thrown into the works: the big boss decides to consider another candidate, and tells Paul he'll confirm his choice for the placement the following day. 

Over the course of the next 24 hours, Paul unexpectedly finds himself analysing the choices he has made and the path they have put him on. Is he better off with his sexy lawyer girlfriend, or did he give up on his author ex-boyfriend too soon? Is big, bustling London really where he wants to be, instead of placid, beautiful Amsterdam? Is a corporate career the right thing for him or is he not quite finished with the raucous rock’n’roll lifestyle?

This dilemma is most elegantly captured by the film’s contrast of the contemporary music-streaming experience, with its if-you-like-X-you-may-also-like-B ethos, and old-school second-hand record shops, where one just might discover joy and beauty through a random conversation with a stranger. Goodbye Stranger passes judgement on any of Paul’s choices – it’s a bittersweet and occasionally very humorous reminder that we should be mindful of the motives and motivations that drive us forward.

– Nicholas Davies

Goodbye Stranger is also available with free SDH and audio description via Subcatch and Earcatch, find more information here