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Wrong Turn (2021)

There have been countless horror reboots, prequels and sequels released this year that have been taking the industry by storm with some proving to be successful (Candyman) and others not as much (Spiral). Regardless, revisiting classic horror franchises seems to be a way to bring that nostalgia for horror fans. However, whereas some of these films have wanted to go down a different path while still remaining similar to audiences, this year’s Wrong Turn reboot goes in the completely opposite direction. The 2003 original film sees a group of friends hunted down in the West Virginian wilderness by a small group of savage cannibals, this 2021 reboot tells a different story entirely. Boasting a similar initial synopsis, we see a group of young explorers hiking along the Appalachian Trail but this is where the similarities end as Wrong Turn changes up the culprits to incorporate social commentary and bring a new twist to the classic tale. This makes the film completely unpredictable, even to those who have watched the original, as it doesn’t follow the same plot points at all.

The film is directed by Mike P. Nelson and written by original Wrong Turn writer Alan B. McElroy. McElroy completely deconstructs his original story and changes it to something new and timely while Nelson’s direction is raw and unflinching. The result of which is a film that follows the trend of incorporating political discussion while also subverting many clichés often synonymous with this kind of film.

Charlotte Vega is cast as the film’s protagonist Jen, a woman who is unsure what she wants to get out of life. As she makes her way visiting various parts of the Appalachian Trail with her friends, Jen clearly has a desire for adventure but doesn’t know how to translate this into her professional life. Despite being surrounded by her accomplished friends, the film follows Jen as in finding a way out of the horrors, she is able to reclaim her own identity and her sense of self. Vega does a fantastic job of balancing Jen’s sense of dread with her instinctual resilience which is the driving force of the film. An important part of any horror film is making sure you have characters that can push the film along and although Jen’s character isn’t completely fleshed out as well as it could be, it’s enough to show the contrasts between the life that Jen has versus the life that she eventually leads.

Wrong Turn has an incredible support cast that really create an immersive experience and draw you into the community that has formed within the woods. In particular, Bill Sage as The Foundation’s leader Veneble is one of the film’s major highlights. Hellbent on preserving power over the community, Veneble is a great character and Sage clearly has fun with the role. His unpredictability and fearlessness means that he is a character that should be feared.

Another great supporting turn was Matthew Modine as Jen’s father, Scott and as expected, he is great. We are introduced into the film’s narrative through Scott’s perspective so it lies on Modine to draw the audience in. As we see Scott visit the small town and the tensions that arise among the locals, Modine does a great job of portraying a flawed father who is willing to anything for his missing daughter.

Overall, Wrong Turn follows the trends of using horror as a means to explore larger discussions on racial, gender and sexual identity. It is because of this that the film results in an unpredictable and unflinching look into how the setting of the film serves as a microcosm of America as we see the cultural melting pot and the subsequent clashes which often have extra gory results. For those who are unfamiliar with the Wrong Turn franchise, you don’t need to have seen any of the previous instalments as this film does a brilliant job of introducing the viewer into this world. It will be great to see if there are any sequels that follow this particular film’s narrative in the future.

What did you think of Wrong Turn? Let me know in the comments below!

Wrong Turn is available to watch on Netflix now!

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Hayao Miyazaki: Film Ranking

It’s hard not to think about Hayao Miyazaki when choosing what anime film to watch. Known as one of the founders of the Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki has established a name among critics and audiences alike as an important figure in helping Japanese cinema reach a global audience with films that are suitable for all ages. So far, Studio Ghibli has only won one film in the Best Animated Feature category which is for Miyazaki’s masterpiece Spirited Away (2001) which, in my opinion, remains the best overall winner in this category. I do think there are times when a Ghibli production should have walked away with the award but sadly, releases directly from Disney Studios tend to dominate the category almost every year.

Ghibli is reliable and consistent, bringing out films that challenge our perceptions on the society we live in by incorporating more mature issues such as loss, mankind’s treatment of nature and identity. There are other directors who have also helped to bring Ghibli the reputation it has today such as Isao Takahata who I will also be writing a separate ranking for but in the meantime, let’s delve into the films of the one and only Hayao Miyazaki.

Here is a mini write up for each in chronological order followed by my ranking at the end of the article:

The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

Miyazaki’s debut comes in the form of this action packed adventure based on the Lupin III manga series following thief Lupin and his partner Jigen after they successfully rob the Monte Carlo Casino only to find that the money is counterfeit. They travel to Cagliostro, the rumoured source of the counterfeit enterprise in a bid to put an end to the ordeal. The film is credited with being an inspiration to the likes of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Great Mouse Detective. It’s clearly not completely controlled by Miyazaki himself as it was made before Ghibli’s inception but there are some signature Miyazaki traits that are noticable in hindsight such as the exaggerated expressions and the mix of humour and drama. It’s a faster-paced film than the usual Miyazaki action films but it doesn’t feel rushed. Lupin is a great character and the writing ensures the audience is gripped. Another highlight in this film is the score by Yuji Ohno which has Pink Panther vibes and really helps to elevate the film-watching experience. I think that this film marks a very strong start to what was evidently the beginning of one of the most exciting film careers in Japanese cinema history.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

The first film created by the founders of Studio Ghibli comes in the form of this brilliant dystopic epic set in a world where the Toxic Jungle, a forest filled with giant, poisonous insects threatens to eliminate the last of the human race. Though released before Ghibli was officially founded, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is commonly considered a Ghibli and has been re-released under the Ghibli banner. The film follows the titular character as she strives to find a way for the insects and humans to co-exist. Based on the manga series of the same name by Miyazaki, who also adapted it into a screenplay, Nausicaä isn’t afraid to delve into deep issues and question its younger audience. Focusing on the themes of mankind vs nature which would prove to be an underlying topic in subsequent Miyazaki features, the film is also unafraid to showcase loss and fractured relationships. It’s also refreshing to see a female protagonist whose strength is never questioned and is accepted for what it is, another trait that Miyazaki showcases in each of his Ghibli produced films.

Castle in the Sky (1986)

The first official feature to be released under the Studio Ghibli is the action-adventure Castle in the Sky. The film follows Pazu, a young boy who works in the mine of his local village who comes across a girl, Sheeta, who floats down from the sky. They are soon chased by pirates and government agents in a bid to track down the secret locating the mysterious floating island, Laputa, that Sheeta may hold the key to find. I have written a fuller review on this film that you can read here but it is truly a dazzling achievement. The scope and detail in the animation is remarkable and the score by Joe Hisaishi feels timeless. Although it is not as popular as Miyazaki’s later films, I think that Castle in the Sky is such a thrilling and impactful film that has a lot to say on mankind’s relationship with nature, the importance of the environment and people’s relationships with each other. Both protagonists work together to find a peaceful solution against the people who want to use Laputa and its materials for weaponary and world domination.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Arguably the most iconic Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbor Totoro follows sisters Mei and Satsuki as they move into an old house with their father so they can be closer to their mother who is recovering in hospital from a long-term illness. The two girls eventually encounter an array of spirits, including one that lives in the nearby forest who Mei names Totoro and the enigmatic Catbus that provides transport for the spirits. It’s a wonderful film that provides the perfect introduction for younger children to Studio Ghibli. Unlike its predecessors, My Neighbor Totoro is a lot more innocent and childlike in its design and message. This doesn’t prevent it from being a brilliant film, however, as it does a great job on touching on family dynamics, childhood and loss. It has a lighter feel and very striking design, particularly the Catbus who conveys the tone of the film without even saying anything. What is brilliant about Miyazaki’s world is how he integrates traditional Japanese folklore with his own imagination and artistry and My Neighbor Totoro is a beautiful example of this.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Following on his successful streak, Miyazaki brings another film geared towards younger children in this lovely tale about a younger witch, Kiki, who sets off to find out what she wants to do with her life. Accompanied by her cat Jiji, Kiki is fascinated by the normal human world and understandably finds it hard to fit in as she is not like them. The film is all about understanding accepting our differences and how we can use them to the our advantage. Kiki is a great protagonist for the younger demographic as she is a strong female who is flawed but she works on those flaws. She is a well-rounded character and it showcases Miyazaki’s strength in being able to create characters that audiences of all age can relate to on some level. It’s not the strongest installment in Miyazaki’s filmography but that doesn’t mean it is a bad film at all. Miyazaki’s work is of such high calibre that it just misses out on the top tier of films for me but it is still an absolute joy to watch.

Porco Rosso (1992)

The last film Miyazaki to be made before he took his first hiatus is a more detailed look into the filmmakers interest with aircraft. Porco Rosso follows the titular character who was a human but was cursed and is now a pig who works as a pilot bounty hunter who catches pirates in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a fun-filled adventure that has inklings of Castle in the Sky with the over the top pirates and allows Miyazaki to go deep on his own family heritage of working in aircraft. Joe Hisaishi’s score is fantastic as always and strikes the right upbeat tone that the film has. For me the film’s highlight comes in the scene in which Rosso sees his dead friends flying in the sky in his own version of heaven. It’s a fantastic scene that lifts the whole standard of the film. It is my least favourite Miyazaki film as it does have some flaws that I cannot overlook particularly the treatment of Fio, a teenage woman who aspires to engineer and make planes. A few jokes and quips made by the pirates are thrown her way that I feel are inappropriate for the younger audience. Fio herself is strongly written and is a brilliantly resilient young woman who is unfazed by working in a strongly male-dominated industry but the comments made by other characters could have been removed and still maintain the toxic masculine environment that Miyazaki was wanting to portray.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

Miyazaki returned after 5 years to make this brilliant epic based on traditional Japanese folklore and spirits. Princess Mononoke is fable on mankind’s takeover of nature and the subsequent consequences that this has. Following Eastern Prince Ashitaka who is cursed by a giant boar god who he kills, he must venture West to Irontown, a place filled with revolutionary industrial technology that threatens to takeover the forest by mining the sources underground. On arrival, he comes across San, a human girl raised by the Wolf gods who violently attacks and attempts to kill the leader of Irontown, Lady Eboshi, any chance she can. The film is by far Miyazaki’s most violent and graphic film thanks to its abundance of blood and graphic injury from the offset. Miyazaki always has a large scope in his imagination but Princess Mononoke has such a richness in detail that I think brings it to another tier. From the larger than life forest spirits to Joe Hisaishi’s spectacular score which is my favourite soundtrack from any Studio Ghibli film. I have written a longer review that you can read here. Despite its Medieval Japanese setting, there is a timelessness in the message that Miyazaki it wanting to convey and I think that that is why it resonates with so many people.

Spirited Away (2001)

The film that finally gave Miyazaki a long-awaited Oscar, Spirited Away is usaully the go-to film that beginners to Ghibli go for and with good reason. Following Chihiro, a young girl forced to move away with her parents and is sad to leave her friends, Spirited Away sees the family accidentally trespass on the land of the spirits. After her parents are turned into pigs, Chihiro must work in the Bathhouse while she figures out a way to get her parents back and return home. This film is nothing short of a masterpiece between the wide array of memorable characters as we venture in the spirit world including Haku, a young man who befriends Chihiro and No-Face, a mysterious spirit who suddenly appears and causes mayhem. Everything about it is iconic and it really is a beautiful film to watch. I have done a longer review which you can read here but words really don’t do this film justice.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Probably the most accessible Miyazaki film storywise, Howl’s Moving Castle is based on the best-selling book by Diana Wynn Jones and follows SOphie, a young woman discontent with her appearance who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old woman. She is then picked up by the mysterious Moving Castle and agrees to work as a cleaning lady for wizard Howl. The film is gloriously magical and is filled with whimiscal design which has made it a favourite amongst fans. The Wales-inspired landscapes are beautiful and vast and some maintain a very high level of detail that remains captivating long after the first viewing. This world that Sophie lives in differs to that of Howl, who longs for beauty and perfection in a world ridden with darkness and chaos. He refuses to take part in the war that is tearing the country apart and provides a bleak backdrop to the natural beauty where the story takes place. Hisaishi’s score is wonderful as always with the main theme waltz reminiscent of a merry-go-round piece. What Miyazaki does so well that he incorporates into this film particularly is showing how blurred the lines are between good and evil.

Ponyo (2008)

After his second hiatus, Miyazaki returns with another film geared towards the younger audience that follows Brunhilde, a goldfish who lives in the sea with her father and sisters, who escapes and is captured in a glass jar by a young human boy called Sōsuke. Brunhilde develops a desire to become human and changes her name to Ponyo after she is accidentally fed blood after Sōsuke shatters the jar which cuts him. Based on The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, Ponyo is a less traditional retelling of the fairytale but still maintains Miyazaki’s vision and charm irregardless. It is an adorable film about friendship and love and despite there being hints towards a negative shift in the balance of nature due to Ponyo’s wishes, it still remains upbeat. Despite her young age, Ponyo is a strong-willed character who knows that she is out of place at the start but doesn’t understand why and makes it her mission to discover where she belongs.

The Wind Rises (2013)

The lastest Miyazaki feature to be released is absolutely astounding and comes in the form of The Wind Rises, which follows protagonist Jiro Horikoshi, an aircraft designer who works for Mitsubishi during World War II. Based on the manga by Miyazaki, it clearly is a project that the director is passionate about and I think this is emphasised by his realistic approach and design. The film tells the story of an aspiring pilot who eventually becomes an aircraft designer due to his poor eyesight and shows him falling in love with a young woman he meets. The Wind Rises is absolutely beautiful and everything about it from its writing and character design to the score by Hisaishi is flawless. Like most of the other Studio Ghibli films released since the inception of the Best Animated feature Award at the Oscars, this was nominated and it expectedly lost to Frozen but I personally would have given my note to this film because the passion that is conveyed goes beyond Miyazaki’s previous projects.

Unlike a lot of directors, there aren’t as many films that Miyazaki has directed in his 40 year career but that is because creating his films is time-consuming due to his insistence that they stick to hand-drawing their images. In the last 3 years, only 36 minutes have been created for his next feature How Do You Live? which Miyazaki has advised is his last film before retiring for the third (or fourth?) time. The calibre of his films is so high so even the ones that rank a bit lower are so strong in quality. Miyazaki has a reputation that many film-makers and lovers dream of and I have seen these films multiple times and will undoubtedly watch them again and again.

Anywho, here is my final ranking:

1) Castle in the Sky (1986)

2) The Wind Rises (2013)

3) Princess Mononoke (1997)

4) Spirited Away (2001)

5) Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

6) Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

7) Ponyo (2010)

8) My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

9) The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

10) Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

11) Porco Rosso (1992)

So there we have it! What do you think of my list? Which Miyazaki film is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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Parasite (2019)

The most original film to come out of this year’s award season, Bong Joon-ho’s Korean masterpiece Parasite which can only be described as brilliantly bizarre. Since its premiere at Cannes Film Festival, the film world has been abuzz for this film. It subsequently took home the prestigious Palme d’Or beating out Quentin Tarantino’s mainstream favourite Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (you can read my review here) and has become a huge favourite this awards season, breaking the mold by being the first Korean film nominated for major awards. Particularly for non-English language films, Parasite has managed to achieve the impossible but it has done so for a reason. Joon-ho’s flawless mix of genres means that you cannot really place Parasite within a particular set. It is a perfect mix of drama, comedy, horror and thriller while also discussing a variety of topics including classism and gender. Parasite refuses to conform and because of this, it stands out as one of the most original pieces of the 21st century.

The film follows the Kim family made up of father Kim Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho), mother Chung-sook (Chang Hyae-jin), son Kim Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) and daughter Kim Ki-jeong (Park So-dam) as they struggle to make ends meet by working temporary jobs that pay little and are living in a semi-basement that is constantly subject to flooding, public urination and fumigation. When Ki-woo is given the opportunity to work as an English tutor to a daughter of the affluent Park family, the Kim family concoct a plan to create jobs for themselves in the stylish household thus earning a decent wage and living the high life themselves as the Park family’s household grows evermore unstable. On the other side, there is the Park family consisting of father Park Dong-ik (Lee Sun-kyun), mother Yeon-gyo (Cho Yeo-jeong), daughter Park Da-hye (Jeong Ji-so) and son Park Da-song (Jung Hyeon-jun) and their housekeeper Gook Moon-gwang (Lee Jung-eun). It is a film that presents the extreme balance of classism from either side with the housekeeper acting as the literal and figurative gatekeeper in the middle.

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Joon-ho’s direction feels unique and innovative as he manipulates setting and space to create an alternative universe within a very grounded and real place. The physical placement of the Kim family’s house being below the ground and the Park’s mansion placed high up on a hill creates a physical hierarchy. The airy, spacious setting and architectural minimalism of the Park home screams luxury and relaxation which is a stark contrast to the crammed and narrow corridors of the Kim basement where the toilet sits on a higher level to the rest of the bathroom. Joon-ho’s decision to only show the two homes as primary location only exemplifies the issues of class and belonging even more. It is no surprise that it is the smell of the basement that lingers with the Kim family and creates a separation between the two families. Despite being treated as such, they can never truly be equals. Joon-ho’s script, co-written with Han Jin-won is sharp and natural. They know when the film benefits from minimal dialogue and when to create chaos as the two families clash. As mentioned before, the film is a mix of many genres and doesn’t really have a place within one category. This isn’t a bad thing at all because in a way, it has shown Joon-ho’s skill as a filmmaker.

The main cast capture the film perfectly. One particular highlight is Song Kang-ho who brings a phenomenal performance as the Kim patriarch Kim Ki-taek who finds work as the Park family driver, mainly working for the family patriarch Park Dong-ik. He doesn’t hesitate to manipulate the Park family and take advantage of the luxury lifestyle but becomes deeply affected and paranoid when the comments of the Kim family smell arise. It is these moments that ground Ki-taek and make him realise that the lifestyle they think they are living is only an illusion. Despite their hardest efforts, they cannot rid the stench of the basement. Aside from being a film that explores the differences in class, it also does a great job at showing acceptance and place of belonging. Ki-taek doesn’t wish to change anything really and eventually begins to despise Dong-ik. Choi Woo-shik also brings his A game as Ki-woo, a young man who aspires to get out of his current situation. Working as Da-Hye’s English tutor gives him an insight into the life that he wants but not all is as it seems. Ki-woo starts a web of lies as he manages to coerce his employers to hire members of his family without them realising.

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Parasite is a fantastically bonkers film bursting to the seams with originality and I hope it triumphs at the Oscars and wins the major awards. As much as I did enjoy Sam Mendes’ frontrunner 1917 (you can read my review here), Parasite is a film that brought more to the table and something different. Not only would it be an incredible moment for film history to see a Korean film sweep some major awards that are often excluded to English-language films only (insert Roma snub here). The hype that Parasite has generated is truly deserving and it’s great to see that it is connecting with a global audience.

What do you think of Parasite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Bombshell (2019)

One film that has brought much buzz among the acting categories is the Fox News centred biopic Bombshell. Following numerous women working at Fox and their experiences of sexual harassment at the hands of their boss, Roger Ailes, the audience follow the lives of three women at different levels of their careers are observed. At the top of the game there is Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), then there is recently fired anchor, Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) and at the bottom of the tier is newcomer Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie) who is based on a culmination of women who worked at Fox. This was not a film I thought would be as gripping or exploitive as it was but this film contains some very upsetting material that shows the trauma that women are forced to endure in order to be successful. The event that acts as a catalyst is Kelly’s encounter with Presidential candidate Donald Trump who tweets various misogynist insults her way after a challenging exchange during the Presidential debate. We see Kelly’s world turned upside down as her and her family’s livelihood is at stake at the hands of a ruthless paparazzi and a passionately threatening audience. Simultaneously, Carlson is fired from her position and seeks to sue Ailes for sexual harassment which is described as a money grab from those at Fox. Overall, it is a film that shows the hardship of women and how dangers in the workplace seep into their personal lives. Directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph, Bombshell allows its female protagonists to develop and grow while showing their vulnerability and resilience in their quest to end the patriarchal harassment that has humiliated women at Fox over the years.

Charlize Theron is so brilliant as Kelly. In the same vein as Monster, Theron transforms into her subject and manages to perfect every detail about them. Completely deserving of the nominations that she has received, Theron’s Kelly is poised, collected and observant. She is a woman who will not be messed around. This makes the scene in which she opens up about her experience with Ailes shocking considering her strength and influence in the workplace. During the conflict with Trump, Kelly doesn’t make any vengeful comments back and instead is aware that Fox’s access to Trump during the Presidential campaign is crucial. She is able to put her own motivations to the side. It is when she puts herself first that a wave of women from Fox come out and discuss their experience. It’s no surprise that Theron has garnered her third Oscar nomination for her portrayal as this controversial figure. She has this command when she is on the screen and a strength that makes it even more shocking when comments about her menstruating are used as an excuse for her challenging nature. She is constantly given a harder time because she is a woman and not taken as seriously as her male counterparts. Equally, Kelly has respect for Ailes and when the accusations come to light, she faces a struggle between her genuine loyalty to him and the truth. In the end, she realises that she must go with the latter but this isn’t a decision that comes easy or without consequence.

In terms of our supporting protagonists, we are given Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman as newcomer Kayla Pospisil and fired anchor Gretchen Carlson, respectively. Robbie is beyond outstanding in support and continues a stellar year. The scene in which her character is harassed and forced to show her crotch to Ailes is extremely upsetting and difficult to watch. We see Robbie’s brilliantly layered expression as she is clearly distraught and uncomfortable herself at having to do this but she knows she must grin and bear it for risk of being fired. Kayla is a fictional character but the development of her character and the depth that she is portrayed with feels very real. The idea to accumulate multiple women into one has served Randolph’s script well as it allows various perspectives to be shown without confusing or overloading the audience with too many characters. Robbie gained an Oscar nomination for her portrayal and it is so deserved. Time and time again, Robbie is showing us her range and has managed to compile a really impressive filmography following her departure from Australian soap opera Neighbours. Kayla is a character who shows a side of Robbie that we haven’t been able to see before and makes it all the more exciting to see what roles she will take on in the future.

On the other hand, Kidman is definitely underused but packs a punch when she is onscreen. I understand that with three prominent protagonists, it can be tricky to prioritise whose story to go more in depth on but it would be wrong to underestimate Gretchen’s important in this narrative. She is the initial driving force and brings this story out to public knowledge. The opening scene shows other female anchors following the rules followed by a collection of clips of Gretchen being told that her outfits are lovely as well as comments on her body with Gretchen looking uncomfortable but laughing it off. She is immediately presented as an outsider from the get go. When confronted by a woman in the supermarket who tells her that her show and Fox News are a disgrace, Gretchen doesn’t understand and twists it back on the woman. The performance doesn’t require the same level of depth and development that Theron and Robbie have to bring because Gretchen is already at the stage of rebellion but Kidman loses herself in the role. We don’t see Kidman, we see Gretchen. It would also be wrong not to mention the eerie performance from John Lithgow as Ailes. It isn’t easy to play a role like Ailes as someone who seems kind and respected but so manipulative and abusive beneath the surface. Despite having limited screen time, Ailes has a horrifying and lingering presence over the whole film and that is thanks to Lithgow’s intimidating command that he has when he is onscreen. He is very much a puppet master.

Bombshell was a surprisingly intense and thrilling film to watch. The limited use of location, primarily the Fox studios makes for a claustrophobic experience that reflects the entrapped environment that the woman work in. The intriguing part about it is how the women start speaking out without really talking to one another for fear of being outed as a traitor. Thanks to its controversial subject matter and triple female protagonist set-up, it probably will have limited success at awards season but the fact that it has received nominations is a great achievement. Theron, in particular, really brings her A game and delivers her best performance in years.

What did you think of Bombshell? Let me know in the comments below!

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The Shape of Water (2017)

From the incredible mind of Guillermo del Toro comes the Best Picture winning The Shape of Water, an adult fairytale following mute Eliza (Sally Hawkins) who works as a cleaner in a government lab and falls in love with a creature (Doug Jones) who is held captive for experiments. Working with various parties including her neighbour Giles (Richard Jenkins), best friend and colleague Zelda (Octavia Spencer) and scientist Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stulbarg) Eliza seeks to break the creature out and escape with him despite the efforts from the evil Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon), the man who captured the creature in the first place. There are a lot of moving pieces in this film but that’s not to say it’s difficult to follow. It gives the film multiple layers and changing motives and sides makes it exciting to watch. The film is definitely del Toro’s best since Pan’s Labyrinth and has become an instant classic. His direction and script are beautifully sharp and consistent with the universe he wants to create. Everything has been carefully thought through from the Baltimore setting to the oceanic colour palette. It’s no coincidence that we first see Eliza in a room of deep green hues and Richard covered in bright red blood. It’s a striking visual representation of which characters are good and evil.

The characters are fantastically developed, particularly Eliza. Hawkins brings a career best as the movie loving dreamer who longs to find love. Eliza leads a simple life which we gain a glimpse of as we view her morning routine which consists of boiling eggs, running a bath and masturbating. The genius of this character is that Hawkins physicality allows Eliza to be expressive and can communicate her emotion with a simple glance. Eliza is fearless when encountering the creature. She is unfazed by the blood and threatening build of the creature and instead encourages it to get close to her so she can teach it sign language and music. One of the most intense scenes comes when she is asked where the creature is and she signs “FUCK YOU” to Strickland. The latter is naturally confused as her signing as he does not understand and it creates a truly terrifying moment as Eliza takes control of the situation. Eliza knows when to take advantage of her condition and is deeply observant of those around her. Her main development comes in the form of rejecting everyone else’s wishes and learning to do what she wants. She subverts the traditional idea of love and finds her identifying more with the creature than humans because they can communicate and understand each other in ways that Eliza can’t with other humans.

The supporting cast also perform a stellar job and there isn’t a particular highlight because everyone does a fantastic job. The support cast is male-dominated due to Eliza’s job working in a government facility in 1920s Baltimore. Working in the facility are Strickland and Hoffstetler on opposing sides of the creature’s treatment. Shannon is truly evil in his role bringing the scariest performance of his career. His presence onscreen immediately brings silence as there is an unpredictability to his character. He is strict on control and when Hoffstetler threatens the slightest bit of control, this bothers him. Stulbarg’s performance is one of tenderness and concern. He winces at the sight of violence and blood which is unusual for a man with his profession. Stulbarg’s performance is layered with multiple characters and motivations. His stance and reasoning is even more unpredictable than Strickland’s. On the other hand there are Zelda and Giles who reluctantly go with Eliza’s plans. Earning Oscar nominations for their Supporting performances, Spencer and Jenkins provide Eliza’s voice at times when she needs it. Each actor is cast perfectly as they embody their roles perfectly. Zelda and Giles are also members of minorities themselves with Zelda being black and Giles being openly homosexual. Together, the trio help to support each other in a society that is dominated by the straight white men.

Music is such a crucial part of this film as it gives Eliza a voice when she doesn’t have assistance. In scenes where she communicates with the creature, she uses a record player to convey her emotions towards him. The soundtrack is a mix of classical original score and songs from the 1920s that were used in television specials and films. Not only does it give the film it’s chronological context but it also allows del Toro to delve into his own love of Old Hollywood and push this personal perspective to the front. In terms of the score, we are treated to a fantastic selection of pieces composed by Alexandre Desplat. Just like the film, the score is a mix of genres taking mainly from fantasy by adding in the whimsy of musical and light and dark tones to reflect comedy and drama. It’s a truly captivating soundtrack and well worth the second Oscar that Desplat received.

As I have mentioned before, the cinematography is fantastic. The film is quintessentially del Toro with his distinctive use of colour and impeccable ability to build his own universes. The audience is immediately immersed from the first shot when we see Eliza’s apartment underwater as Giles narrates in a fairytale manner. What works so well is that del Toro easily merges the fantasy with the real by making his world as realistic as possible but adding whimsical qualities. There are some gory scenes in the film and as expected, del Toro doesn’t shy away from showing the audience this but it’s because of the film’s primary genre being fantasy, it doesn’t feel overwrought or overwhelming to those who don’t like horror films. The film feels suitable for any genre because the topics are so universal and the vision so distinctive.

There are few films that impact me so much immediately but after I viewed The Shape of Water, I completely fell in love with everything about it. It was wonderful seeing del Toro deliver a film that feels so personal and poignant. The film feels like del Toro’s love letter for films and the many influences such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon are really felt here.

What do you think about The Shape of Water? Let me know in the comments below!

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Frances Ha (2012)

Watching this for the first time during university was truly revolutionary. Noah Baumbach’s film follows the titular character (played flawlessly by Greta Gerwig), a contemporary dancer who struggles to maintain a secure lifestyle in New York after her best friend Sophie (Mickey Sumner) moves out of their apartment. Filmed in black and white, stripping back the New York background in a way that feels like an homage to Woody Allen’s Manhatten, Frances Ha is witty and heartbreaking while creating a brilliantly developed character who feels real and leaves you thinking long after the credits roll. Directed by Baumbach and co-written by him and Gerwig, Frances Ha has earned its place among the great indie films of the 21st century for its mix of quick wit and improvisation. Following Frances and told from her perspective, Frances Ha is a seemingly simple film in that it doesn’t explore a specific plot but it demonstrates the struggle young people have and what they will do in order to achieve their dreams.

Frances Halladay is enigmatic and fiery. She has an array of bad habits such as smoking and bad money management but she has a passion for life and sees the magic in the everyday. This love for life is magnetic and we begin to see New York from Frances’ perspective. Her New York is an entirely different place. She has plenty of struggles but somehow she is able to bounce back and flit from place to place knowing that everything will figure itself out in the end. Despite not having a “real” plot, the film sees Frances become reliant on herself. Her initial identity is completely tied to Sophie but when Sophie moves, Frances is forced to carve her own path. She’s one of my favourite characters in film with good reason. She’s quirky, doesn’t let go off her dreams and importantly, doesn’t allow a man to dictate or motivate any action unless she wants it to. For all her flaws, Frances brings her strength subtly and isn’t aware of her own power.

Frances Ha allows a deeper focus on characters rather than plot. The natural approach the actors bring mean that the audience forgets that they are watching a film rather than a documentary. Mainly set and filmed in New York, there are also scenes that take us to Sacramento and Paris. No matter where Frances goes, she doesn’t change and the world remains just as black and white as ever. We see Frances at a turning point in her life. At 27 years old she is starting to lose a grip on her dream as a dancer and begins to understand that she will have to compromise to maintain security. Because it’s not plot driven, it feels as though the audience has stepped into this moment in her life and that there will be a big breakthrough for her but Baumbach is a grounded visualist brings a more realistic approach and finds a more believable solution.

I have touched on the cinematography before but it deserves its own observation. Baumbach’s New York feels like it doesn’t belong in a specific time or place. The decision to film in black and white definitely contributes to it but also Frances’ ability to largely avoid modern culture and do her own thing gives the film a detachment and allows it to become immersed in its own universe. The decision to make it black and white added a quirky aesthetic to the film and made it a talking point but ultimately, it is a film that relies heavily on its actors and Gerwig in particular who is in the majority of the film. Inspired by the French New Wave, the film is minimalist and brings a European style to the US. Although it doesn’t bring whistles and bells, it is contrasted by Frances’ extroverted personality. Without Baumbach or Gerwig, Frances Ha would not be the film it is and would not be the indie success that it is.

There is something that continuously draws me in with Frances Ha. Every time I watch it I notice something new whether it is a particular performance, the cinematography or the writing. It’s a film that maintains its topics and place in the mumblecore movement. As both Gerwig and Baumbach’s careers have skyrocketed to new heights with both releasing two of the best films of the year with Little Women and Marriage Story respectively, it’ll be great to see them collaborate again. Their 2015 film Mistress America which was their last collaboration was also a fun watch but for me, it is Frances Ha that remains my favourite. It’s a film that is strongly feminist and feels relatable as someone who aspires to make a living in the creative industry.

What do you think of Frances Ha? Let me know in the comments below!

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Mustang (2015)

A gem of a film you may have missed this past decade comes in the form of this Oscar-nominated Turkish-French film. Mustang is the debut feature by filmmaker Deniz Gamze Ergüven and follows five young sisters who are forced into arranged marriages after they are caught innocently playing in the sea with male classmates. Told from the perspective of the youngest sister, Lale (Güneş Şensoy), Mustang shows the struggles of being a woman in an oppressive society, the loss of innocence and the importance of sisterhood. Ergüven’s direction and script is drawn from aspects of her own life and this authenticity and knowledge can certainly be felt. The film uses limited locations which exemplifies the situation the sisters are in. The opening scenes show them leaving school and the freedom on the beach as they play. When their activities are discovered, they are trapped within the family home and forced to practice chores expected from women such as cooking and cleaning. The house is in the middle of nowhere and the girls are allowed limited access into the town due to the shame that they brought to the family. What Ergüven does so well by showing the film from Lale’s perspective is making the space seem bigger than what it is.

All five sisters have their own distinct personalities and outlook on life. As each one is married off one by one from eldest to youngest, we view their differing circumstances. This is mostly noticeable in the wedding scene where we see the two older sisters wed their husbands. Older sister, Sonay (İlayda Akdoğan) marries a man of her own choice and dances happily but second oldest sister Selma (Tuğba Sunguroğlu) sits forlorn at the table as she is forced to marry someone she does not care for. There isn’t a heavy focus on either sister as we are viewing this from Lale’s perspective and so the attention flits between various partygoers as well as Lale’s grandmother and Uncle. The writing in this scene is absolutely phenomenal and poignant as it marks the last time the five sisters are altogether and alive. It is in the wedding scene when you realise the seriousness of the plot. It is one thing for underage and arranged marriage to be discussed but it is an entirely different scenario when you see it actually happening. Especially the aftermath scene in which Selma’s bedsheets are inspected for blood the morning after and her in-laws claim she isn’t a virgin. The life-threatening undertones make this one of the terrifying scenes in film. The protagonist of the film, however, comes in the form of the youngest sister Lale. Şensoy brings a fantastic performance that is fearless and powerful. Lale isn’t afraid of what others think nor is she afraid of angering her elders when they are in the wrong. Her natural ability to resist is evident throughout the whole film and the concluding rebellion that she carries out with her sister, Nur (Doğa Doğuşlu) only shows how brilliant a character she is.

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One of my favourite parts of this film is the score by Warren Ellis who does a stellar job of capturing the sisters’ struggle. It’s a quiet and soft score that grows with intensity as the time to find Lale a husband looms. It’s an underrated score by all accounts and should have brought Ellis an Oscar nomination at least. The score is such an important part of a film that can really enhance the overall experience and I think that Ellis captures the heart of the film and the bond between the sisters. The combination of classic sounds with traditional Turkish music used in the wedding scene blurs the lines between the reality and the movie.

One of the best scenes in this film comes when the sisters sneak out of the house to attend a football match where adult men are banned. They are caught on camera during the match and in a bid to avoid their Uncle from seeing, the Grandmother swiftly turns the power off. It’s a small gesture but in this moment, the audience realises that the Grandmother has her sympathies for the girls and doesn’t want them to get into any further trouble. Ironically, the football match is where the girls feel safe and have fun as they are in a stadium surrounded by fellow women and watching men as a spectacle rather than being a spectacle in a male dominated world themselves. They have regained their power as individuals with individual identities in this scene and it is empowering to watch. Another scene which is a standout for me is the downfall of middle sister, Ece (Elit İşcan) who ends up committing suicide when the pain becomes too much. After waiting to be married off, she is molested by her Uncle but keeps this from her sisters so as not to upset them. The burden becomes overwhelming and she eventually takes her own life. This moment brings the trauma from the outside world into the supposedly “safe” confines of the family home. The brief glimpse that Lale sees of her bloodied sister is all the audience see before we are whisked away for the men to get rid of the body.

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Foreign language films always bring the best out of cinema whilst seemingly pushing the envelope in ways that English-language films seem reluctant and scared. Films like Mustang help lift the lid and raise awareness on important issues without caring about their opposing sides feelings. They have a clear point of view and they are films that make the audience think. The year this came out was an extremely strong year in film as you also had the revolutionary Hunagrian Holocaust feature Son of Saul which follows life of a man subject to working the gas chambers. Son of Saul was the film deservingly selected to walk home with the Oscar on awards night but any other year and that would have easily belonged to Mustang. It is a film that brings strength and hope to its female protagonists and also sheds a light on the injustice thrust upon young women in modern society.

What do you think of Mustang? Let me know in the comments below!

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The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

My favourite animation of the past decade hands down belongs to Isao Takahata’s swansong which is a retelling of the Japanese folktale “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”. It follows a man who finds a small girl in the centre of a bamboo shoot, he picks her up and she turns into a baby and then quickly grows into a young woman in the blink of an eye. Known as Takenoko (which translates as “Little Bamboo”), the family live a life filled with finery. Takenoko is given the title Princess Kaguya and soon begins the quest to find her a husband. The only problem is that Kaguya does not want a husband. She enjoys her freedom and finds the concept of regality to be horrifyingly restrictive. The film underperformed at the box office but the critical response is overwhelmingly positive with five stars across the board. It’s a shame that this film hasn’t received the mass audience that Spirited Away did because it is such an intricate look into traditional Japanese culture whilst merging in the pressures of being a woman in a man’s world and living up to societal expectations. Its portrayal of depression is one of the most realistic and resonating in film for me, particularly the scene in which Kaguya flees the party and sheds her many kimonos. The significance of this scene cannot be discussed enough. Kaguya is dismissing the life that her parents have decided for her. Her parents are not bad people but they have confused their own wishes with their daughter’s and this is what ultimately tears the family apart. The film was released just after Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises in a double bill that hasn’t been seen since the 1988 releases for My Neighbor Totoro and Grave of the Fireflies. Just as those films are completely different in subject matter and style, the same could be said of The Wind Rises and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

The animation style in this film is what makes it instantly stand out in the Ghibli catalogue. Taking clear inspiration from traditional paint and ink, it veers away from your typical Ghibli and Takahata aesthetic but the result is a beautiful use of technique and colour. It feels as though the film is a fairy-tale jumping from the pages of a book. The pastel colour scheme contrasts beautifully with the strong black strokes. This truly is art in animation and a testament to Takahata’s ability to push the envelope. The film in its entirety is beautiful but the now iconic cherry blossom scene is one of the most wonderful sequences in any film. Kaguya runs and plays as the cherry blossoms fall and the result is a scene of joy and freedom. The mix of deep black outlines filled in with delicate hues of pink are simplistic but resonate the lightness and happiness that the character is feeling. The use of colour is so important in this film as it evokes both material and figurative richness. Contrast the colours of nature as Takenoko ventures in the forests as a child which excites her with the scene in which she is gifted numerous kimonos that are made of unnatural colours in rich jewel tones. Takenoko is taken aback by the gift and loves playing with the material in a scene which is just as beautiful as the cherry blossom scene.

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The character of Princess Kaguya herself is deeply complex and despite her origin as a being from the Moon, is one of the most human characters brought to film. Her journey from bamboo spirit to fully fledged Princess is turbulent and challenging. Content with the humble lifestyle her Earth parents lived before inflicting delusions of grandeur upon her, Takenoko refutes the lifestyle expected of a lady in high society. She is trapped within the walls of her mansion within the city and longs for the wilderness and freedom it brings. The character is not without her flaws. She purposefully manipulates five potential suitors to cross oceans and collect tokens for her affection. She does this knowing that she doesn’t care for any of them and knowing that it isn’t possible to gain these mythical gifts. When falling into her depression, we feel for her because she doesn’t want to let her parents down and appreciates everything they have done while at the same time sacrificing her own happiness. Ultimately, she has to ask herself if her parents happiness is worth exchanging for her own and asks for the Moon to reclaim her. Kaguya is a character who knows what she wants and this progressive outlook does not fit in within a society that has a place for her.

In an unusual move for Takahata, he recruited Joe Hisaishi to compose the music for this film. Hisaishi is known for his frequent collaborations with Miyazaki and had only just delivered a stellar score for The Wind Rises. It’s a credit to Hisaishi that he worked on these scores at the same time and yet both soundtracks have their own style and identity. The score for The Tale of the Princess Kaguya deeply lies in Japanese tradition, utilising traditional instruments such as the Koto which the titular character has a natural affinity for and whimsical woodwind that really brings you into the era and setting. Hisaishi has his own distinct sound as I have discussed in previous posts but this one feels totally unique in its approach. It feels softer and more ingrained in its tradition and heritage than other soundtracks. This could be because despite its fantastical elements, it is a film that is openly set in an ancient Japanese setting.

There are many scenes which stand out in this film for me and I have discussed a few of them in this post but the one that will remain the most heartbreaking is Kaguya’s return to the Moon. It’s a poignant sequence and one that will have you crying. When the procession of beings from the Moon come to collect Kaguya, the love that she has for her parents and vice versa flows through. It’s hard to believe that a children’s film can have such a sad ending but this is Ghibli and they are not afraid to delve into darker themes. Erased of her memories on Earth, Kaguya looks back at her parents and sees their love and smiles. This smile is bittersweet because she recognises the love that they have without understanding who the love is for and what it meant to them.

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The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is tied with Castle in the Sky for first place as my favourite Studio Ghibli film. It’s unlike any film you have ever seen and unlike any film you probably will see in the future. It’s a glorious achievement and worthy of being Takahata’s final film. The love and care that went into this film is so evident. I truly believe that the love for this film will grow in the coming years and it will become just as admired as some of the other popular Ghibli films in the catalogue such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. It’s a film that is not an easy watch but it is so captivating and rewarding.

What do you think of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya? Let me know in the comments below!

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Princess Mononoke (1997)

Another day, another Ghibli review. Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke is a Medieval set fantasy in the ancient land of folklore and Gods and the battle between Mankind and the spirits in the forest. The film follows Prince Ashitaka who is cursed by a dying boar and must venture to the West to find the reasons for his curse. He ventures to Irontown where the residents, led by the greedy Lady Eboshi, are on a mission to rid the forest of its Gods in order to mine up the iron and invade surrounding areas. In between these two parties is a young woman, San (also know as the titular character), who lives with the wolf Gods in the forest and whose mission is to kill Eboshi and put an end to Irontown’s plot to rid the world of the animal Gods. Ashitaka is immediately taken by San and sides with her to put an end to Eboshi while also finding out the meaning of his curse. The film is more violent than most Ghibli films and doesn’t shy away from showing rotting corpses, dismembered limbs and lots of blood but the film needs this to show the corruption within man’s unnecessary fight with nature. The violence that is perpetuated upon the forest and seeing the animal’s rebellion is heartbreaking. Miyazaki’s brilliant vision of contrasting palettes makes this a true fantasy epic as we venture from the deep jewel colours of natures filled with deep greens and blue hues to the abnormal reds and oranges that flare from the furnaces at Irontown.

Princess Mononoke features some of the best known characters in the Ghibli canon from San, the titular character to the various creatures that populate the forest, particularly the adorable Kodama, tiny spirits that guide the way through the forest. In true Ghibli fashion, San is a posterchild for strong female characters. From her first appearance sucking the bullet out of the wolf God and spitting the blood into the water, San doesn’t care how she looks. She doesn’t aim to please anyone and isn’t there to be sexualised or sought after. Ashitaka is drawn to San but San keeps him at arm’s length. She wants to help him but does not care for any romance. San’s reluctance to identify as human makes it easy for the audience to see her as inhuman. Her seemingly superhuman strength and speed makes her seem otherworldly. On the other side of the conflict, Lady Eboshi is a deeply conflict character who isn’t just a regular villain. In true Miyazaki fashion, she has her own understandable methods and a genuine desire to protect her people but she is ultimately on the wrong side of history in this instance. Eboshi is seen as a woman of civility and forward-thinking whereas the people portray San as an animal and treat her like the animals that she lives with. They do not hesitate in their attempts to kill her even though Eboshi confides her sympathies for San to Ashitaka.

The animation and style from this film is quintessential Ghibli. Drawing in on traditional techniques and meshing with this folklore and a modern feel, Princess Mononoke showcases the best of Ghibli and Miyazaki living up to his usual standard. The combination of nature and industrial is deeply satisfying and you are instantly transported to a different time. Despite being sets centuries ago, the technology feels new and unique. The designs of the spirit god’s, particularly the Forest God bring that sense of command and attention that such a character would demand from its audience. One of the best sequences has to include the opening encounter with the boar which is both grotesque and terrifying, setting the tone for the film. Contrast this with later scenes where the forest comes to life to make way for the Forest God.

If you have read my previous Ghibli related posts, you know that I absolutely love the composing genius that is Joe Hisaishi. A longtime Miyazaki collaborator, Ghibli films would not be the same were it not for Hisaishi’s contribution. This is mostly felt in Princess Mononoke, the soundtrack which I listen to everyday. It truly holds its own as an epic in its own right and brings the film’s overall status to epic proportions. Mixing traditional Japanese sounds with fantastical elements, we are thrown into the conflict between man and nature through Hisaishi’s genius use of pace and crescendo. The ending track titled “The Legend of Ashitaka” is easily one of my favourite musical pieces from any film. The piece feels as though it takes you through the emotional span of the entire film in its five minute running time. Starting off quiet and slow and then building with brass and becoming a loud and brash piece showing the tilt in man’s favour. I love how Hisaishi has his own style like Miyazaki and it honestly feels like you can’t have one without the other.

Princess Mononoke is usually ranked among the favourites and has been a popular choice since its release. It is a film that has mass appeal despite its maturity and content. There is a lot of detail to take in within every scene and such a brilliant use of locations and spaces. The era that it is set in is real but the addition of the Gods allows the creative team to think outside the box and bring their originality to the designs. Even the designs of animals such as the monkeys and the boars have an otherworldly feel to them. They are inspired by animals that exist but they don’t exist in the real world. This is something that Ghibli does best in that it blurs the line between real and fantasy, allowing the imagination to run wild. The film isn’t afraid to delve deep into serious issues with its overwhelming message on environmental destruction, the manifestation of greed in man and the corruption that it builds and the longing for power.

What do you think of Princess Mononoke? Let me know in the comments below!

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Ingrid Goes West (2017)

Looking through the many options on Netflix, I stumbled across this 2017 indie that I have been meaning to watch but never got around to. Matt Spicer’s film stars Aubrey Plaza as the titular Ingrid Thorburn, an Instagram stalker who becomes besotted with an LA based influencer, Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen), and moves to be near her. Ingrid Goes West lifts the filter and reveals the dark side to Instagram, showing the damaging psychological affects that obsessive social media usage can have. Ingrid is already introduced in her obsessive state and we never quite get to the bottom of her issue but that adds to the eeriness that social media dominates lives without reason. Despite being sent to a mental health facility, Ingrid doesn’t change her ways and still flicks through magazines religiously. The opening shot of Ingrid is her crying as she flicks through her former victim’s Instagram as she is barred from the wedding. The irony of the deep emotion that Ingrid feels with the vacuous status that accompany the pictures only serves to highlight how shallow the obsession is. Ingrid is constantly viewed as an outsider but it is purely because she doesn’t naturally conform to the Instagram type that makes her seem a bit weird.

Given the topic for the film, it only makes sense that Spicer would reflect this in his direction. The film runs like a glossy Instagram page filled with a satisfying colour palette and scenery that would need no filter. It was always going to be a challenge because these are characters who are obsessed with their phones. Spicer wants the audience to see what these characters are missing. The beauty of the location is used by the characters for likes and not really appreciated for what it is. Combine this with sharp dialogue that is filled with plenty of small talk and awkwardness and you’re onto a winner. Spicer cowrote the script with David Branson Smith and I think they did a great job of subtly bringing out the darkness in the other characters. When Ingrid has her meltdown at the end and confronts Taylor, the latter seems emotionless to the accusations of her shallowness which only confirms Ingrid’s claims. Ingrid is an obvious victim of social media obsession but Taylor is also a victim of illusion provided by the grandeur of thousands of followers on Instagram. The soundtrack is a Californian daydream mixing Indie songs with RnB classics, Ingrid Goes West is bolstered by it’s music choices. To an extent, the songs are perfectly picked for their scenes like photoshopping the perfect image. Spicer does not want the audience to forget that this is a film about culture and arguably, the downfall of culture.

Aubrey Plaza is nothing less than stunning in this film. A complete 180 from her usual quirky and sarcastic persona, her performance as Ingrid is ironically her most sincere character. Ingrid is deeply flawed and not necessarily likeable from the offset but she is a victim. We can see that Ingrid is filled with disgust for herself as she finds herself diving deeper into obsession but despite her own attempts, she cannot stop this. On the other hand, whether she wants to stop obsessing is another question but then this conflict is what makes her struggle human. The film is primarily a dark comedy and this makes it a perfect fit for Plaza but she plays the role as though it were a drama and this pays off massively. We feel sorry for Ingrid despite her weirdness and crimes. We know what she is doing is wrong and yet we want her to succeed. A character as conflicting as Ingrid doesn’t happen very often and the combination of Spicer’s script with Plaza’s characterisation was perfect.

Ingrid is clearly the film’s villain with Taylor as the traditional victim. But what the film is also suggesting is whether Taylor herself has allowed herself to become equally as obsessed in a different way. She doesn’t care to notice Ingrid’s obsession until there is danger posed and she doesn’t seem trendy anymore. She is consistently narcissistic which Ingrid completely ignores in her admiration. Taylor had also wanted to be the cool kid that Ingrid longs to be but she rejects Ingrid’s attempts in the end. The film doesn’t aim to excuse Ingrid’s behaviour but it aims to shed light on how shallow both sides of the obsession is. Just as Ingrid is tortured and craving a life that cannot be hers, Olsen revels in her role as the self-absorbed Taylor Sloane. Originally coming across intelligent and cultured with a ton of quotes from many favoured writers such as Joan Didion as well as a regular face on the LA art scene, Taylor has everything that Ingrid could want. Taylor is oblivious the world around and everything is material. Even a simple picture with Ingrid turns into a.impromptu photoshoot with a local shop worker forced to get on the floor to get the perfect angle. Taylor is all about control and image and doesn’t want anything negative coming in and bursting the bubble. We are led to believe that Taylor lives a perfect life but this couldn’t be further from the truth as her husband is a failed artist alcoholic and her brother a drug addict.

O’Shea Jackson Jr also makes a welcome appearance as Ingrid’s landlord, Dan, who Ingrid manipulates into a relationship to impress Taylor. Dan is the only honest and traditionally good character in the film. He is aware that Ingrid is deeply flawed from the moment that she brings a dog to her apartment against his rules but he still develops a deep love for her. When she attempts suicide, no one in the house next door tries to help her. In fact it is Dan, who is in hospital because of her, who saves her life by calling an ambulance. Taylor and her husband Ezra were willing to leave Ingrid for dead in her own home. Their shallowness and obsession with online presence overshadowed someone’s real life. It’s the small details in the writing such as this that exploit the darkness in this film.

What do you think of Ingrid Goes West? Let me know in the comments below!