Sit back, relax, and prepare to be riveted and nonchalantly repulsed by the story of a high profile maestro who is haunted, hindered, humiliated, and possibly humbled--though this last state is up for debate depending on your interpretation of the film's bonkers ending--by her hubris. Portraying the titular character, Cate Blanchett goes quietly off-the-rails in this darkly veined examination of the cult of personality.
The pacing is slowburn and deliberate, the plot is a percolating melange of arthouse melodrama, but delivered in a brooding and low-key manner. Underneath the surface is a strange air of mystery, which may very well be due to the minimal exposition; key elements of our protagonist's life are doled out sparingly over the 2 hour and 38 minute run time, keeping us in the dark as to her true self.
The film is perhaps unexpectedly prescient, too, given how it mirrors the current unravelling and cancellation of (Kan)Ye. It also tackles MeToo, albeit more as a tertiary element to the core story of an ego unchecked. There are other underlying themes floating about such as the separation of an artist's private life and their art, social media and its increasing role in dictating public opinion, political correctness, and free speech.
Blanchett is riveting and the supporting cast manages to keep their heads above the maelstrom she creates.
If you dig high drama delivered with smoldering intensity and keen camera sense, then this will be right up your alley.
No comments:
Post a Comment