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Those who missed out on the theatrical release of one of the most bizarre films of the year can now watch it at home, only on Prime Video. Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell, depicts the story of Oliver Quick, a young college student who gets caught up in the glitz and glamor of a fellow classmate, Felix Catton. When Oliver is invited to stay at Saltburn, Felix’s family mansion, his obsession with Felix grows as he further inserts himself into family tragedies. The film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, and Richard E. Grant.
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A fair warning to those misled by the assumption that Saltburn is the perfect film to watch during the holidays with family: It’s not. In fact, it is perhaps one of the most disgusting, compulsive, and unhinged films of the season and should be watched with discretion. However, to those willing to dip their toes into the weird and dive deep into insatiable desires, the film is determined to provide something unique and original. And it succeeds.
Saltburn kicks off with clues and hints of what kind of story we are about to watch unfold, all of which are both so vague yet so obvious. For the remainder of the film, our main character, Oliver, gives the audience a play by play of a series of what feels like normal events at first until they escalate into something so much worse than we would have thought. The film excels in drawing the audience into the creepy nature of Oliver, which is both unsettling yet so engaging. All the while, there is the natural attraction to Felix whose character isn’t fully explored, something that works to the film’s advantage. Not having him fully fleshed out allows the viewer to stay focused on the perspective that Oliver intends to convey. It’s the hidden secrets and sudden plot twists that still catch us off guard, no matter how predictable they may be to some. It’s a testament to Emerald Fennell’s ability to give us a story that makes us want to turn away from the screen but also keeps us glued to it. After all, how can we miss this grand, glittery spectacle?
And amidst the glitter and glamor, there is as much love and hatred as there is passion and obsession displayed throughout the film in unhealthy doses designed to make the viewer uncomfortable. And for some, this can be seen as the main appeal to a film as provocative as Saltburn. But for others, it’s the sheer erotic nature of every event that occurs, whether they involve bathtubs or someone’s grave. But that’s as far as the hype surrounding this film really takes us. While there’s plenty of reason to praise the film, its allure only lasts a short amount of time before it begins to feel lackluster as it loses the shock factor over time. There’s only so much one can take in before boredom eventually strikes. But Saltburn is fortunate to luck out in the last half hour as it gets tied up in a nice little bow to a song that’s sure to play in our heads for days.
But even with its predictability when it comes to the shock value, it’s the performances that help keep the film afloat, particularly that of Barry Keoghan who has clearly been set loose to be as unhinged as possible. While he isn’t your conventional actor that is akin to Austin Butler or Timothée Chalamet, both of whom are on the rise, Keoghan has a different spirit that he brings to the table. There is a unique feeling of charm and mystery that allows him to bring forth the worst parts of Oliver throughout the film while also convincing us to go along with his completely unnatural schemes. To counter him is Jacob Elordi whose temperament and shy kindness leads the audience to be in conflict: Do we empathize with him or do we spite him and his family? Either way, the magnetic talent and energy between Keoghan and Elordi is beyond impressive.
In the end, there’s plenty to admire from the perfectly poised cinematography to the incredibly unhinged performance by Barry Keoghan. And while Saltburn can feel excessive and lose some of its intended appeal, it manages to step outside the box and cross boundaries that one wouldn’t think to cross in the first place. Emerald Fennell succeeds in bringing an original story to the screen drawing in audiences with mystery and shadow. And frankly, what film lover could resist that?
Samosa Rating:
Saltburn receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas.
Saltburn is now playing in theaters.
Runtime: 2h 7m
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