It's weird how at this festival one night someone can be just some actor in blah horror movie and then the next night they seem to be a genuine fucking movie star, well at least in Utah this week. Such is the case with one Mrs. Elizabeth Olsen. During my first night here I took in a midnight screening of an underwhelming new horror film from the people that did Open Water called Silent House. The film is a one-take single shot film where a woman played by Olsen is terrorized and pushed to the limits by unseen forces. For 99% of that film Olsen is front and center, for the most part she holds it together quite admirably, but there are several weak acting moments that caused me to wince to my neighbor. After the film we had a discussion and we were trying to decide whether or not she wasn't that great of an actor or the film was genuinely one single take.
After watching "Martha Marcy May Marlene" yesterday I am a fan of hers and quite certain that she has a hell of a future ahead of her. This little film in the dramatic competition is about a girl played by Olsen who after the death of her mother finds herself getting involved in a cult-like commune on a farm somewhere. The film begins with her escape and most of the film takes place while she is at her sister's recovering from the experiences of the past several years and flashbacking to what happened. The harsh cult life has affected her entire being from repeated abuse and she tries to convince her family that she just ran off with a boyfriend for the few years.
John Hawkes (Me You and Everyone We Know, Winter's Bone) plays the leader of the cult who seemingly is a guy that has created this utopian little world where everyone can live happily off the land, but he and the family have a much darker side upon them. Hawkes is friggen fantastic as usual, bringing his usual intensity inhabiting his role. Brady Corbett (Mysterious Skin, Funny Games) plays another important member of the family, a guy who seems to be the main recruiter bringing in wayward young women to come live with the "family". Sarah Paulson (Studio 60) plays Olsen's sister who struggles to get a grip of whats going on with her sister after suddenly living with her after not hearing from her for over 2 years.
So it's got a top notch supporting cast, but like I said earlier the real stand out in this film is Elizabeth Olsen. Just like Silent House she's in virtually every shot of the film, and in this one it requires her to do some very deep material. Most of the movie she is distant and things are conveyed in incredibly subtle manners. She never falters like in Silent House. I'm really excited and can't wait to see what she has in store for her in the future. I know I'm not the only one that has pegged her as the Carey Mulligan or Jennifer Lawrence type young discovery of this festival.
I love the color palette for the film, production designer Chad Keith and DP Jody Lipes add so much to the nuanced brooding of the film. First time director T. Sean Durkin makes a hell of debut, while some may say that it's too detached and too subtle, when the film works it's fucking on. Part of me is not a fan of the ultra-ambiguous ending on the picture, but to be honest the last few moments of the film have been resonating with me ever since I saw it last night. I think on repeat viewings it will be something that I may grow to love, but on the initial viewing I felt a little jilted, as i felt there was a climax that it was building up to that never really had any payoff.
Okay...I love it, but I can't physically write any more tonight with this morning movie...I apologize for my shitty writing and any horrible typos, I'm trying to keep an insane 8AM-Well After Midnight movie watching schedule and still tap out a few of these reviews. So please go easy on me in the talkbacks, all of this is done with only a few hours sleep. Okay goodnight all! Red State tomorrow!
Jarrette/Rav
