By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Miranda July
Starring: Da'Vine Joy Rudolph | Debra Winger | Diana Maria Riva | Evan Rachel Wood | Gina Rodriguez | Mark Ivanir | Richard Jenkins
Country: united_states
Year: 2020
Running time: 104
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8143990/reference
Michael says: “Many find Miranda July’s work a little too precious, or twee. It’s definitely unique and has a certain style of its own, but I’m a big admirer of her work. Her first feature film, ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW is a favorite of mine, and her ambitious follow up, THE FUTURE, while not as successful, still proved to be an intriguing follow-up. With KAJILLIONAIRE, July steps out from in front of the screen, and focuses solely on the writing and directing to create an accomplished film that retain her whimsy and quirkiness, but includes a serious, dramatic thread about parental responsibility and bonding that truly resonates.
“Theresa and Robert, for whatever past reasons, have decided to live their lives by skimming off the surface of others, through minor cons that keep them off the grid, but able to sustain a certain life without doing too much damage. When they have a child, the inexplicably named Old Dolio, they continue to live their lives in this manner, which makes for a fairly challenging upbringing for a child. Everything is split three ways, the good and the bad. Seems reasonable, but to a child, who has so many wants and needs that they are relying their parents to fulfill? Life goes on however, until Theresa and Robert bring a newcomer into their lives. Melanie is a young woman they meet on a plane during one of their cons, and when reveal to her what their real plans are, she is excited by this unorthodox family’s lives, stepping in to help them. Old Dolio isn’t too sure about having Melanie involved, and she is perplexed by the way her parents treat her. When Theresa offhandedly calls Melanie ‘Hon,’ and is unable to do the same with her own daughter when challenged, the dynamic several changes.
“In addition to the great script, which is filled with July’s trademark whimsy, but follows a darker thread in a way that is both gentle, and disturbing, the film is greatly aided by the performances. Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins do a great job with Theresa and Robert… offbeat ex-hippies living on the fringe, conning their way through life that in the end, they don’t even know when they’re doing it. Gina Rodriguez brings some much needed grounding as Melanie. In some ways it’s as if she’s coming in from another movie, which is exactly the point. It’s Evan Rachel Woods that is the secret weapon here, though, taking on July’s oddities and making them natural for Old Dolio. She feels deeply, but doesn’t even recognize what those feelings are, having been raised, almost scientifically, without the usual love and affection deserved by caregivers. She’s a damaged would who has learned to cope, and when faced with honest emotions, she must totally re-learn what the appropriate responses are.
“Miranda July has created another quirky and powerful film, and it’s good to see her branch out and let others perform her work. Expect a few nominations for this one from me. 4 1/2 cats”
Bob says: “I’ve seen Miranda July’s two previous films, and liked ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW very much at the time, but it’s slipped away from me. All I remember is that I liked it. I’d have to look it up to tell you anything about the story line.
“We’ll have to see if that happens with this one. While it’s fresh in my mind, it feels like a very strong film. We’re presented with a family of eccentric grifters, and it takes almost the entirety of the film before it becomes clear that the apparent silliness and quirkiness are actually very serious dysfunction.”
Chris says: “I knew I was in good hands from the moment where three of the film’s principal characters try to stop the spread of a squadron of bubbles spreading down and threatening to consume an entire wall of the abandoned office space they’re renting as living quarters, for such a spectacle could only come from the mind of writer/director/performance artist Miranda July.