Starring: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll, Olivia Wilde, and Chris Pine
Director: Olivia Wilde
Plot: 8/10
This mild thriller follows a 1950s housewife, Alice (Florence Pugh), as she notices her life is not as “perfect” as it seems. She tackles flashbacks, manic episodes, and warnings from a neighbor, all while being invalidated by her friends and husband, Jack (Harry Styles). This metaphor for the oppression of women in everyday life keeps your attention and makes you wonder if the technology depicted is a near possibility. I always appreciate a movie that leaves me thinking and forces me to unpack all the hidden elements that you can only notice once you know the ending. While this movie is unique, it is by no means monumental or one of a kind. To sum up the plot, I would call it a woman’s Get Out.
Cinematography: 8/10
Matthew Libatique’s camera work is very intriguing, especially in the scenes where Alice is starting to have hallucinations. He had a lot of shots that featured mirrors that did not actually mirror what was happening in real life but instead contrasted with what was happening in Alice’s head. It was also interesting to notice how whenever we were in the Victory Project, the digitalized perfect world, the camera had a creamy yellow hue that made everything seem idealistic. Whereas, when we saw the real world it had a much harsher and grim lighting effect. Well done, Mr. Libatique. Don’t think I wouldn’t notice.
Acting: 6.5/10
The sole reason why this score is above the surface is due to Florence Pugh’s performance. She is one of my favorite actresses and it makes sense why she has been booking project after project since 2018. She has the most amazing range that can vary from witty banter to deeply dramatic screaming matches. Mr. Harry Styles on the other hand gave a modest performance. I’m not going to be too harsh knowing that he has had minimal experience, besides his small feature in Dunkirk, but I have to admit that his novice acting was at some points distracting. During a dark scene, I heard audible laughter from the audience when he would deliver a line. But, I am willing to give him a second chance and give My Policeman a fair shot. As for polished actors Chris Pine, Nick Kroll, and Gemma Chan, they were as solid as ever.
Score: 7/10
The score in this movie was tense and typical for a thriller. I think the few songs from the trailer and in the movie were very fun and transported us to the music culture of the 1950s. The “with you all the time” song played an integral part in the plot and leaves you with an eerie impression by the end of the movie.
Set/Costumes: 8.5/10
The costumes in this movie were very brightly colored and tailored perfectly to symbolize how controlled and idealized everyone involved in the Victory Project is presumed to be. I thought the costuming and makeup of Jack in the real world was shocking and matched the disgusting personality and insecurity the character has. The set was in the sunny Palm Springs area and included dry secluded areas. The geometric formation of the houses was satisfying but almost creepy since it was so uniform. Everything looked straight out of The Brady Bunch.
Overall: 7.6/10 (Paige Approved)
All in all, I do think this movie is worth the watch especially since it is now so accessible on HBO Max. It’s not too scary and offers a thrilling experience. The story is tidy, gives a clear message, and is bound to lead to great post-movie car ride discussions.
Is all press good press?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t read every article, visit gossip accounts, and even watch the nanny’s 20-minute tell-all on the relationship between Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde. Do I think everything being said is true? No. But, you can’t say it isn’t fun to pretend it is. This relationship was so inappropriate and probably made filming unnecessarily uncomfortable. But, it is definitely the culprit of the $86,681,272 sitting at the box office. I don’t know if I’d be willing to have my private relationships out for everyone to feast on but the Bennys Olivia and Harry are sitting on as a result seem awfully comfortable. As long as they’re fine with the outrageous amount of press floating around, I feel fine being an active indulger.
Paige's Movie Corner 