Saltburn

I was quite nervous when I saw this. I was expecting a sort of hybrid of "Another Country" meets "Brideshead Revisited" as the story of "Ollie" (Barry Keoghan) and his aristocratic pal "Felix" (Jacob Elordi) unfolds. Both are at Oxford university, but the former man is very much a poor relation of his well-heeled contemporaries. One afternoon, though, he comes to the aid of "Felix" lending him his bike, and what now ensues is a friendship that sees the two gradually start to bond and for the latter to invite his new friend to his eponymous stately pile as a guest of his mother (Rosamund Pike) and father (Richard E. Grant). Tagging along throughout this experience is the slightly malevolent and jealous "Farleigh" (Archie Madekwe) as their su...

Sometimes you come across a filmmaker whose works you just dont like. And now, after two features in, I can honestly say that about writer-director Emerald Fennell. I didnt care much for her debut outing, Promising Young Woman (2020), and I can say the same (and more) about her follow-up effort, Saltburn. This alleged thriller about a seemingly awkward but quietly sinister Oxford student (Barry Keoghan) who ingratiates himself into a family of wealthy English aristocrats features a story and characters about whom, quite frankly, I couldnt care less. (Think The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) with a cast of eccentric old money cronies and a wolf in sheeps clothing.) This assemblage of utterly reprehensible characters living utterly reprehens...

Has a case of the samesies on the final chapter. I think we get it. I liked the people. Fun characters outside of you know who. Does anyone really say the vampire line? Great character reveal in the slurp. For me, the explanation station took away from the experience. Feels sloppier the more you see. But then you see it all. Giant slopfest.

Overall Entertaining

This movie was a refreshing experience. Well directed with tight plot. Leaving the viewer always wondering whats going to happen next?

There are some potholes and forced nudity (incongruent), but the good plot makes up for these minor shortcomings.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie 7/10

Black comedy / psychological drama of Amazon, directed and written by Emerald Fennell (from the magnificent promising Young Woman and Barbie). This one is a bit tricky one to review without spoilers so if want to see the review stop right here.

It tells a story about the scholarship student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) early in the 2000 that struggle to be accepted into the high class Oxford University. He manages to met Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) a popular student and befriends it being closer and closer in friendship with him, till he shares his sad family story background. Then he is invited to be at vacations at Saltburn, an magnificent summer place in the fields of England where he meets the eccentric and decadent family of Felix...

It's been a long while since I stumbled upon a film that wasn't painfully predictable.

What struck me the most was this bizarre yet fascinating connection I developed with a psychopath. It sounds odd, but the film masterfully reels you into this vortex of the character's emotions and psyche. And then, somewhere along the line, it cleverly severed this connection, leaving me... adrift. However, what really resonated with me was the cinematography. The camera work, grading, lighting everything seemed meticulously crafted to enhance the narrative and the mood of the film. There were moments where I was simply awe-struck by the beauty of a single shot. Worth watching.

I'm disturbed. Outstandingly disturbed, mind you.

It is very out there as it features some uncomfortable moments, but that's never a bad thing if it's done right... and boy is it here. The film does an excellent job at making it all fit, which is actually quite impressive. Main plot-wise, it's not a hard one to predict... or at least not quite as unpredictable as the film possibly thinks it is based on the 'reveals' (?) at the end, but again: never a bad thing if done correctly. The main takeaway from all this is certainly the unsettling stuff.

This 2023 production also holds fantastic cast performances. Barry Keoghan is top notch, I've seen various people online rave about him as an actor but I hadn't really seen it until now. Jacob ...

I'd seen this film advertised at my local cinema but written it off as the description, in not giving anything away, sounded like Brideshead re-revisited. Then having heard some hype I couldn't see how it could be rated 15. But you know how in films, people would kiss, then suddenly be lying in bed smoking; as adults, weve been there, and we know theyve just had sex, but how could a censor or anyone argue with what was actually shown. If you watch The Good Place or The Simpsons, there are parts where you laugh along with the writers but you know itll go over kids heads. This was definitely a 15 in what it showed but I blushed at what was inferred. Having heard of the bath scene or the graveyard scene, I was concerned, and more surprised by ...