Not since, possibly "Fatal Attraction" have I seen and enjoyed a film with so many contradictions, incongruities and social agendae as "Promising Young Woman." You have GOT to see it, darlings. I was with Cassie (Carey Mulligan)) all the way.
And if you have not seen this film yet, then stop reading. Because what follows is meant to be a discussion among those who have already seen the film. So, let's go.
The title is macabre irony. Mulligan plays Cassandra "Cassie" Thomas, working in an upscale coffee shop, living at home with her parents as she reaches the age of 30. The premise is simple--several years back, when Cassie and her childhood friend, Nina Fisher, were both in medical school, Nina went to a party, where she was raped by a guy, with his pals looking and cheering him on. The experience traumatized her, and while Cassie did her best to help Nina heal, it did not take, and she ended her life, hopefully ending her trauma. Cassie is left with unbearable grief, plus survivor guilt; she could have gone to the party with Nina, but opted not to. Now, to deal with this, she takes some very extreme actions.
This sets "Promising Young Woman" into motion.
Let's start with style. Anyone who thought "Fatal Attraction" stylish--and it was--this film exceeds it. Some shots look like they came from Vincente Minnelli; others from the caverns of the worst nightmares in your mind. And the film, dramatically goes back and forth, in like manner.
Details and dialogue have to be paid attention to, to get the full impact of the picture. Like how Cassie strategically arranges her body in certain poses to suit her purpose. Or that notebook she keeps, when one realizes how long she has been keeping it, and so when the image morphs into numerical acts like a play, or chapters in a book, the viewer can grasp the intent of all this, on the part of Cassie, and writer-director Emerald Fennell--whose feature film debut this is; one that will be hard to top--and its almost maniacal actuality. And how about that dramatic scene between Cassie and Nina's mom, played by a non-comedic Molly Shannon, who blew me away with her ability to do even this brief, dramatic bit, and where, I suspect, if it has not been figured out yet, this is the point to deduce that Nina is dead.
Are the men pigs? As far as I am concerned, yes. All except the rapist's defense attorney, played by Alfred Molina, who, in the wake of what happened is now repentant. But a former female classmate, Madison, is dismissive and bitchy, though she does provide Cassie with a key piece of evidence that enables Cassie to set in motion the final step of her plan. But, then, some tables get turned on her.
Until then, I had hoped for Cassie to shoot all the guys involved--even Madison--singlehandedly. Or maybe castrate each guy. But after the turn, when I realized where I was being led, I found it satisfying, but bittersweet. The final message rings true. Karma IS a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are out for revenge, let Karma do all the work.
Nevertheless, the film generates a myriad of questions. Like the implication of Nina's suicide, without it being clearly stated. Is Cassie a sociopath? Is she justified? Has she been instituitionalized at any point? Should she have been? And how about Nina, whom the viewer never sees, except in a series of photographs? Nor is her rape depicted visually, just audibly.
How about us, as individuals? We all have been through horrid experiences by people, but would we go in Cassie's direction, or not? Can we be sure, either way?
Even if the issues don't provoke one, the acting does. The scene between Carey Mulligan and Connie Britton, which turns the table on rape culture, is key, and enacted superbly by both. And there is a monologue, delivered by Cassie, near the turning point, that is destined to be of future use by young women in acting classes.
Hey, why wasn't I seen for this? I would have loved to play it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've said enough to provoke discussion, while hiding enough from readers tempted to ignore my warning. I will end this on one of the film's key tag lines.
"Listen."
4 comments:
michael i also loved this movie saw it twice own it too yes we are both double vaccinated like you twoand i did see olympia on stage in the milk train doesnt stop here anymore which we both know was turned into boom with liz and dick Play not good olympia was great this was a few years ago stay well norman
God commands us to forgive, so I try to.
Easier said than done sometimes!!
Victoria,
I, too try my best to forgive.
The two hardest people I have to
forgive are one of my uncles, and
myself!
Norman,
"Boom" is actually one of David's
favorite movies. I still have never
seen it. Wish I coud have seen Olympia in
the Tennessee Williams' original!
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