I’m a bit perplexed as to how to approach this one. Most reviews I do I’ve already seen before, either on the big screen itself or in a much smaller format. Shit’s changed a bit since I started the DMR, there’s a lot more options now. But this is one of the few “new” movies I’ve watched in awhile since most recent releases seem to kinda suck. This one was a bit of a wildcard, went in completely unawares. I stumbled blindly into Hereditary and Sweet Jeebus, that’s a fuckin’ kick to the head and groin while giving you a ghostpepper wedgie. Midsommar came along and I’m like, okay, I’ll check this out in the theater. A bit of a different direction, still pretty fucked up, it will be reviewed here eventually as well. So when this popped up, I’m like, you’re shit don’t suck, but what is this? Never watched a trailer, went in knowing nothing like the two previous except that it was billed as “Psychological horror comedy” or somesuch, whatever the fuck that genre is. Did I mention I was apprehensive to watch? Had the disc sitting there for a bit, glaring at me, taunting me. I ignored it. Until I couldn’t.
The opening scene reminded me of something from that Irreversible guy, but instead of a deposit it’s an outgoing transfer. It sets the tone? Kind of? Beau is born, jump ahead like 50 years. Maybe 40? Wherever he’s at, it’s pretty ass. Crime in the streets. And not just like normal crimes, like pretty fucked up naked-guy-stabby crimes. Outside his apartment. I’m guessing Seattle circa 2029? Not sure. Pretty sure though. There is actually an address flashed, but it seems to be one of those 555 kinda deals. Because, you know, incriminating evidence and all. Regardless, pure shithole. And Beau isn’t one that does well in this environment, considering he’s at his psychologist right off the bat, and you know what? He apparently is a fucked up indecisional mommy’s boy with a heavy dose of paranoia. Therapist knows it. Beau? Apparently doesn’t, but at least his drugs seem to work ineffectually. And when he misses his flight home to see Mother for his father’s “death anniversary?” Things go wrong. Really wrong. Then Really Reeeally wrong. Then a brief ok. But then right into the shitter.
Credit to Joaquin Phoenix and everyone else in the cast, this movie be fucked up and they knew it going in. Not that all characters are malicious or evil or a really dark plot (damn you,Hereditary), it’s just rather weird. Like Brazil kinda weird, minus the political subplot and the Oedipal complex x 100, plus LSD and a dash of Aranofsky’s Mother. It’s like a Coen brothers movie gone sideways, and tripped, but still got back up and realized it was in Terry Gilliam movie. Definitely appreciate the very dark humor that is spread throughout, but there are definitely things goin on here that just ain’t right. But decent overall if you want to invest three hours of what honestly is borderline if not outright insanity.
