MOVIE REVIEW: SALTBURN

 

A student is invited to an eccentric classmate's estate for an exciting summer.

Director: Emerald Fennell

Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use.

Runtime: 2h 7m

Emerald Fennell sophomore feature, Saltburn, is a deliberately paced puzzle box that reveals itself methodically as it attempts to shock and surprise with varying degrees of effect.  Fennell does go for something far more visually striking and impactful here than her first film which gives the proceedings the kind of flair that's hard to ignore. The use of a 1.33:1 aspect ratio adds to the effect by giving the film a voyeuristic look and feel throughout. This fly on the wall approach gives everything a sinister undertone even as the script veers into dark comedy more times than not as the depravity unveils itself.  Its easy to see similarities to The Talented Mr. Ripley in terms of story and setting but there's also the anarchist spirit of Roger Avery's twisted tale of entitlement from The Rules of Attraction.  At the center of it all is a chameleon like performance from Barry Keoghan who runs the gamut of emotions and presence as the film goes along.  Its fascinating turn that allows him to work through subtly before revealing bigger emotional shifts.  Jacob Elordi is a solid counter to Keoghan's more nebulous persona.  Elordi comes across as deceptively earnest and well meaning for the better part of the film's runtime.  Strong supporting turns from Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver and Archie Madekwe give the film the kind of depth that makes the film easier to enjoy even as it moves at a very specific pace.  Pike and Grant in particular make the most of their limited screen time by delivering devilishly fun performances as the parents.  There is plenty to unpack from the film's final act which takes a series of big swings with some working better than others.  There's a solid sense in some of these latter sequences that Fennell is trying to shock the audience which is fine but there's a lesson to be learned about less being more.  Issues aside, Saltburn is a solid follow up to Promising Young Women even if its not as refined or impactful as it should be.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

 

On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, Pádraic is devastated when his buddy Colm suddenly puts an end to their lifelong friendship. With help from his sister and a troubled young islander, Pádraic sets out to repair the damaged relationship by any means necessary. However, as Colm's resolve only strengthens, he soon delivers an ultimatum that leads to shocking consequences.

Director: Martin McDonagh

Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan

Release Date: October 21, 2022

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Rated R for language throughout, some violent content and brief graphic nudity.

Runtime: 1h 49m

Review:

The Banshees of Inisherin, the latest black comedy from Martin McDonagh, it’s a funny, compelling fable that's simplistic on the surface but one the will likely stick with you as you ruminate the meaning of it all.  McDonagh creates an authentic ecosystem of people and relationships that brings life to the mundane something he's done to great effect in previous films.  The script is sharply written with plenty of dialogue that pops off the screen which makes the character's interplay the film's highlights.  What's more impressive is that the story is thematically dense, functioning on multiple levels which leaves the door open for a multitude of metaphorical interpretations.  A strong script pair with excellent performances from its two leads makes this film incredibly watchable and easy to digest unlike the majority of awards fodder.  Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunite with McDonagh for the first time since they collaborated in 2008's In Bruges and again bringing out the best in each other.  Farrell and Gleeson have a natural chemistry together which serves as the film's life blood.  Farrell leaning into the happy go lucky attitude early on in order to watch him emotionally degrade as the film wears on.  Gleeson makes his character's stubbornness tangible as he drops hints desperation as he tackles his impending mortality.  They are fascinating throughout because they give you a real sense that there is so much more simmering under the surface for both men.  They deserve the lion's share of the credit here but supporting turns from Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan leave a memorable impression as well.  Fans of Martin McDonagh know that his film's use black comedy to explore larger issues and The Banshees of Inisherin does so in spades. 

A

MOVIE REVIEW: ETERNALS

 

The Eternals, a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, reunite to battle the evil Deviants.

Director: Chloé Zhao

Cast: Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie

Release Date: November 5, 2021

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for fantasy violence and action, some language and brief sexuality.

Runtime: 2h 37m

Review:

Chloé Zhao’s Eternals is one of the more interesting entries in the ongoing Marvel series.  The mash up of Zhao’s naturalistic style and superhero tropes results in a character focused film that’s more interested in the smaller moments than big action sequences.  As such, it has a different feel than most of these films do while still accomplishing the usual Marvel albeit at a glacial pace.  It has an odd pace that drains the proceedings of any urgency even though it’s literally dealing with end of the world stakes.  Intermixing flashbacks with present day events drains the film of any sense of forward momentum since neither section get enough time to gain any sort of real traction.  Luckily the incredibly diverse cast makes the slog more bearably with earnest performances.  Gemma Chan and Richard Madden do the heavy lifting for the majority of the film with each providing a steady stoicism to their duo. The large supporting cast each get their moments to shine during the film with Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry and Barry Keoghan leaving the biggest impressions.  Angelina Jolie does well as the tortured warrior whose being crushed under the weight of her memories.  Salma Hayek gets a scant few moments to shine but ultimately the film waste her with an underwritten role.  Eternals tries hard to be sweeping and epic but it never really achieves it, only skirting with it during it’s hefty runtime. 

B-