Film: Don’t Worry Darling
Cast: Chris Pine, Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, Kate Berlant
Director: Olivia Wilde
Rating: 2.5/5
Runtime: 123 minutes
Though high-concept, Olivia Wilde’s sophomore effort as director isn’t convincing nor satisfying. It’s very showy and pristine in look however the lack of power in characterization, staleness of story, and facile depth in telling don’t make for compelling, concerned viewing. That’s to not say you gained’t derive pleasure from the pristine, picture-perfect look of the actors, their sartorial perfection, sexual proclivities and ‘life-is-a-never-ending-party’ life-style.
The viewers would possibly really feel gravitated in direction of this suburban Shangri-la, a city known as Victory – away from town with its minimalist, all-white, fashionable properties, in an idyllic haven, shining brightly someplace within the California desert. Jack Chambers (Harry Styles) and Alice (Florence Pugh) are one of many ‘chosen’ few {couples} and households inhabiting this perfect of wonderment. But is it actually that… is a query that will get answered in direction of the climactic moments? That’s when the mysterious Victory Project group unwraps warped idealism and exposes its disturbing overtones that belie all of the smiling faces and excellent marriages showcased beforehand.
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Wilde has clearly garnered inspiration from movies like Inception, The Matrix, and The Truman Show – however this movie by no means comes shut, aside from within the ‘looks’ division. The darkish trauma doesn’t unfold with any nice felicity or guile. The overwhelming perfection of the setting itself makes it an apparent beacon for a sinister mindset.
The script by Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke, and Shane Van Dyke appears like a slightly lackluster knockoff of ‘Stepford Wives.’ The actors essaying stellar roles are just about well-known or notorious (as per your studying of their notoriety and fan base) however their efforts at efficiency pale into insignificance when in comparison with the overwhelming perfection of the cinematography from Matthew Libatique, manufacturing design from Katie Byron and costumes from Arianne Phillips. Even Olivia Wilde’s helming, considerations itself with making all of it look beautiful whereas ignoring conviction. While Pugh does properly in a meaty function (after ‘Midsommar’) and Chris Pine displays some juicy villainy, there’s little or no for anybody else to do. Harry Styles – the largest draw right here, could slot in completely however his craft isn’t as impeccable as his appears (as exhibited right here). Olivia Wilde’s second effort at helming is slightly feeble even with the sheer immaculate visible craft on show.
