By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Durga Chew-Bose
Starring: Aliocha Scheider | Chloe Sevigny | Claes Bang | Lily McInerny | Nailia Harzoune
Year: 2024
Running time: 110
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27774999/reference/
Brett says: “In this feature film debut, director Durga Chew-Bose adapts a novel from the 1950s for the screen, but the setting reflects an otherworldliness rather than feeling trapped in time. One can perceive a sense of modernity that seems predominant in some production choices, but the design for the film remains elevated beyond any particular time trap or label, so the audience never quite feels tied to a set of particular time restrictions; that is, the film could very well be set in the 1950s, but the scope is such that it escapes any date-restrictive setting from then to now. With that said, the production design and costume design is one of the finer accomplishments of the film.
“No doubt about it, the film is a fashion-heavy dream world at a luxurious beach house or villa during a summer in an unidentified year. The film is a look into the lives of Raymond, a father raising his adolescent daughter Cecile around 12 years after her mother’s death, and his latest partner Elsa. The plot’s central conflict is sparked by the arrival of Anne, a long-time family friend of Raymond and Cecile’s mother: a window into the world of life before Cecile and up to her toddler days. This provides a view into a world only really present to Cecile as a faded scrapbook. She is in the here-and-now and has bounds to her willingness to nurture her father’s own perceived meanderings and the tidbits of life before her arrival in this world while she is currently still finding herself.
“The film does jump from perspective to perspective at times in the early going, but it definitely tends to lock in on young Cecile as the events begin to unfold. Anne can be quite reasonable, sometimes even cold or reserved compared to Raymond’s current girlfriend Elsa. What can it be that made her such a friend to Raymond and Cecile’s mother?
“The author of the source material was just 18 when the book was written, so the tone and nature of the film is very much in the wheelhouse of a young filmmaker and young, mature-beyond-their-years audiences. Therefore, it is only fitting for Cecile to slide to the forefront as the narrative progresses. Gelled to that character focus are the prominent choices in stilted dialogue, a sure sign of a fantasy world of liberation and glamour created from the mind of a yet-to-be-jaded adult. Thus, the title is an appropriate greeting toward the melancholy and uneasiness about to come for a teen at a crossroads where the nonchalance and freedom has previously come so naturally.
“For skeptics of the melodramatic, the stilted conversations can be quite heavy-handed on more than one occasion, but through the lens of extravagance-seekers, it could be considered quite on point. In short, many of the dialogue choices feel much more fluid and appropriate for the pages of a novel than to actually have to hear them said aloud, but there is likely something enjoyable for dreamers.
“Regardless of some of those screenplay choices, it is difficult to deny Lily McInerny’s superb portrayal of Cecile. For that alone, the film is worth a thorough look. The fact that the film is shot with a classic sort of beauty only accentuates her star quality.
“It’s difficult to say the plot is thick with real twists and turns. But, the immersive world created by the director seems to be the primary focus, and that in itself delivers quite nicely for its intended effect. After all, large pendulum swings are not a pre-requisite for a fine film.
“3 CATS OUT OF 5, with a 4 or 5 Cat performance out of McInerny”