Gorgeous b&w cinematography, great use of background actors and environment settings, and a unique exploration of the mother-daughter dynamic within a traumatized family. Who is the victim and who is the oppressor? Can you be both at the same time? Those are existential questions being asked in this film, but it doesn't quite finds the answers. The parallel plot device was also not effectively deployed imo, and just added to create an unnecessary mystery/hook that never pays off satisfyingly.
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The Substance 2024
Knock-out visuals (the use of super close-ups and low angles, time-lapse videos and homage easter eggs) and remarkable sound work, and electric editing that binds it all together. The moviegoing experience of the year.
Does it have anything profound to say that we haven't heard before? Probably not, but who cares after that adrenaline-inducing final act?
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Your Name Engraved Herein 2020
Impossible to not look at the final act and think of Wong Kar-Wai’s Happy Together, as well as Call Me By Your Name, which this film will be destined to be compared to.
However I do believe that it delivers a different, a more unpolished, earthy aesthetic. Even though the script leaves little room for ambiguity and pondering, the two leads are really the heart of this film (the female character is, however, shallowly written).
I loved the final shot, where…
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American Girl 2021
Second time and I still cried 3 times. I like how the camera lingers on their faces and so much is conveyed without words. It’s heart wrenching watching these imperfect people try their best to love someone, even when sometimes more harm is done than good.
To me this film is not (just) about coming-of-age or letting go / forgiveness, but more like: “I know some wounds will never heal but we get it, and you’re not alone”. And that’s the therapeutic charm of this film. Just being there means everything.
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