This film is a lurid, provocative exposé of the British Upper Class. They say money talks, but in this film, so does sex and there is plenty of nudity. Writer/Director Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) crafts a tangled web of misdirection and manipulation. The visuals she creates almost go over the line they are so lewd, sordid and salacious. If that was the goal, she succeeded.
Oxford University student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan – The Banshees of Inisherin) befriends the handsome, rich Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi – Euphoria, Priscilla). They are hardly equals. Oliver appears to be a charity case on scholarship. He is shy and short. But when Felix walks into a room, everybody stops and stares. He’s tall, dark, handsome, fun always making his presence known.
When Oliver says he has no where to go for summer break, Felix invites him to spend the summer at his parents’ place. Mind you, this is not just a place. It’s Saltburn, a vast estate with a castle, servants, manicured gardens, a lake, pool, tennis courts, and so on.
Upon Oliver’s arrival, he is led on a tour of the manor by Duncan, the Butler (Paul Rhys). Director Fennell had Director of Photography, Adam Lance Garcia, do a continuous follow shot from room to room using a camera with an aspect ratio off q.33:1as Oliver walks through the house. air a ratio of 1.33 : 1, more of a large square, to show more of the vertical space from floor to ceiling of the opulent decor. You know immediately what Oliver is dealing with.
Then he meets the family. Sir James (Richard E. Grant) is the seemingly bumbling father of Felix, married to Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), so well dressed, coifed and catty about society life. She calls her best friend, “Poor Dear” Pamela (Carey Mulligan) who is eventually excommunicated from Saltburn. Oliver sets his sights on Felix’s sister,Venetia (Alison Oliver) and things start to percolate between them.
Oliver sees and seizes opportunities as they present themselves with Venetia and with Felix.There is a plethora of lewd and lascivious behaviors involving Oliver with the inhabitants of Saltburn as they get to know each other. It’s like a chess game and somebody is always either controlling the board or moving ahead.
In our interview with Fennell, we talked about the power of manipulation creating the dark twists in this film. When asked about making any changes while writing this complex story, she relayed her process. She thought this one through over a period of 7 years before writing the screenplay all at once. There is a lot of nudity, but we thought not just for for nudity’s sake. She agreed explaining that she purposely had it shot in the dark or in shadow to be more provocative than anything else. However, we think there are several very graphic scenes that may make you very uncomfortable especially as the story descends deeper and the dark sides of the characters are revealed.
Fennell’s casting is excellent. Cast members play their parts well in the lethal game that is Saltburn. Barry Keoghan’s acting is compelling as he hides behind veil of his true self. Rosamund Pike stands out, every time she spews out criticism, being judgmental of life at Saltburn. She has attitude and isn’t afraid to show it.
This is an exquisitely shot, multilayered, psycho-sexual film that goes way too far. Fennell takes you on a shocking journey to find out who can master the game of riches in this salacious state of affairs that is Saltburn. Once they start, it’s hard to look away.
MGM 2 Hours 7 Minutes R
Related posts:
Knives Out Writer/Director Rian Johnson talks about having the whole cast on the set
Ford v Ferrari Stunt Coordinator, Robert Nagle
Interview with Waves stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Taylor Russell and Writer/Director Trey Edward Shults talking teen angst, family and sound design.
THE CAMPERS AT THE SUNDANCE PREMIERE OF CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THE FILM.
Promising Young Woman
Eddie Redmayne and Tom Harper talk challenges making The Aeronauts
