His Three Daughters review: Savour this exquisite elegy to death and sisterhood
As a seasoned cinephile with a soft spot for tales of resilience and rebirth, I find myself captivated by the audacious narrative of ‘The Substance.’ Coralie Fargeat has crafted a riveting yarn that resonates deeply in today’s appearance-obsessed society, drawing parallels to Oscar Wilde’s timeless masterpiece, ‘The Picture Of Dorian Gray.’
Verdict: Beautifully observed
Reflecting on the latest Netflix film, His Three Daughters, it struck me that death is a recurring theme in cinema narratives, perhaps even more prevalent than love.
Since the initial silent films, death has often played a prominent role in movies, typically appearing unexpectedly and violently for dramatic effect.
It’s not common to see dramatic portrayals on screen of the kind of death that many people experience multiple times in their lives – the slow decline and eventual passing of a loved one such as a parent or close friend.
But when it is done well, it can be more moving, more thought-provoking, than almost anything.
The reason behind it is that Pedro Almodovar’s latest film, “The Room Next Door,” bagged the top honor at the Venice Film Festival recently. This captivating production, featuring outstanding performances by Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, explores the moral and social dilemmas associated with a terminally ill individual’s right to decide when and how they should end their life.
In a unique yet equally captivating perspective, “His Three Daughters” explores the theme of mortality. The story revolves around a man, who remains largely unseen, as he receives palliative care within his apartment in New York City.
The origin of the drama revolves around the three females – Katie (played by Carrie Coon), Christina (Elizabeth Olsen), and Rachel (Natasha Lyonne) – who are in anticipation of his death.
Katie, the oldest sibling, tends to be bossy, sensitive, and easily upset. From her phone conversations with home, it appears she’s as tense as a worried mother. Despite living in a different part of New York, she wasn’t particularly attentive as a daughter. Now, with her father critically ill, she’s attempting to assert control, worrying about his obituary and a do-not-resuscitate form that needs to be signed. However, she seems to show very little affection or empathy during this difficult time.
As a devoted follower, I myself have traveled far away, thus explaining my limited interactions with the elderly gentleman. I’m a parent to a young one, and from an external perspective, it may appear that my life is nearly flawless. However, much like in films or any other setting, such seemingly perfect lives are never without their complexities.
In a more simplified and conversational manner: Rachel, the youngest among them, struggles with marijuana addiction, giving her a voice that sounds like either a heavy smoker or a Marge Simpson impersonator. Often, she butts heads with Katie who finds her reckless. However, as time passes, it becomes apparent that Rachel is the one genuinely mourning their father’s approaching death. She was the one who diligently cared for him, shared his home, and will inherit it upon his passing.
In this complex relationship between siblings, there are numerous intricacies and a few unexpected elements I won’t disclose. Sharing these details wouldn’t ruin anything as the dialogue and performances should be appreciated rather than spoiled. The film, titled “His Three Daughters,” is brilliantly performed (with Olsen delivering a standout performance by making an otherwise less engaging role captivating), and cleverly written by Azazel Jacobs, who once again showcases his talent for crafting stories about the ever-changing dynamics within family relationships. His 2017 film “The Lovers” is another example of this skill.
It’s unclear if Jacobs based this story on his own experiences or simply his keen insights into others. Regardless of the source, he writes captivatingly about female characters. My wife found it particularly amusing when Rachel joked about Christina potentially having more children.
Christina strongly disagrees with the portrayal of childbirth suggesting that it doesn’t involve a “popping” sound or sensation as described.
His Three Daughters is on Netflix.
Verdict: Grisly horror-satire
In The Substance, there are numerous instances of popping, but it’s just one among many other sounds like snapping, bursting, oozing, and squelching. This isn’t your typical horror story, but rather a dark, twisted satire that could appeal to those with a strange sense of humor, if they can find the humor in it. It might not be suitable for everyone, especially the faint-hearted.
As an unabashed admirer, let me express my awe at Demi Moore’s breathtaking portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-radiant Hollywood luminary, now relegated to hosting a fitness program on television. Yet even this sanctuary is snatched away by my nemesis (Dennis Quaid), a villainous figure in pursuit of youthful replacements.
In my fervent passion, I’d describe it like this: Just like any other fanatic would, I jump at the chance to participate in a clandestine experiment, a mysterious elixir – the main character’s ‘fountain of youth’, if you will. This miraculous potion promises to rejuvenate me every seven days, and amazingly, it does! I’m granted a priceless week as my vibrant, youthful self (portrayed by Margaret Qualley), only to return to the burdened 50-something version once more.
In a creatively gruesome and entertaining manner, filmmaker Coralie Fargeat plays around with copious amounts of blood and gore in this production, notably the scene where Sparkle version 1 gives birth to Sparkle version 2, also known as Sue, on the bathroom floor. This eventuality leads to Sue’s rise to fame as a prominent television personality.
Despite its bleak and gruesome nature, Oscar Wilde might still find familiarity in this narrative, as it mirrors The Portrait of Dorian Gray, yet with a striking relevance to our appearance-centric contemporary culture.
Regarding Moore, it’s strikingly moving in films when an ex-star portrays an ex-star. She executes it brilliantly.
The Substance is in cinemas now.
All rise for an enthralling French court case
Last year’s winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival was Anatomy of a Fall, an engrossing murder mystery primarily in French, that delved into the intricacies of a troubled marriage, captivatingly unfolding within a courtroom setting.
To tell you the truth, French courtroom dramas aren’t like London buses that we can predict their arrival, but just as unexpectedly as the next one shows up, here comes another engaging one.
The Goldman Case narrates an authentic tale centered around Arieh Worthalter, a fiery, Jewish political activist from the left, who ended up being sentenced for multiple armed robbery incidents.
During a robbery, two women tragically lost their lives. In 1974, he was given a sentence of life imprisonment for this crime. However, questions were raised about the validity of his conviction and there were concerns about potential bias due to anti-Semitic sentiments.
Two years on, Goldman found itself at the center of a high-profile second trial, backed vocally not just by renowned philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and actress Simone Signoret, but also by several other notable figures.
In contrast to “Anatomy of a Fall,” Cedric Kahn’s movie is primarily set within the confines of a courtroom, and it features a significant amount of heated exchanges among French individuals.
However, it’s filmed in a rough, documentary-like manner, which adds to its charm, culminating in a climax that is truly captivating.
The Goldman Case is in cinemas now.
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2024-09-20 02:10