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Comments 1 - 15 of 21

MrW's avatar

MrW

Had a very mixed response to this one, alas.

First things first, though: Carey Mulligan is extraordinary in it. She just has an absolutely perfect grasp on what's happening, even when the rest of the film doesn't.

Alas, there are plenty of moments when the film gets awkwardly lost in what it's trying to do. There's absolutely a film out there that can be a cheeky topical satire, study of trauma and playful revenge film all at once. But the tone often feels wrong here, stumbling between different registers and moods without fully landing the jumps.

The last act is where it all kind of falls apart. spoiler

It's a shame things don't come together, because there's lots to like. As said, Mulligan is astoundingly good here and deserving of all the accolades. Fennell is an obviously promising director, and the vibrant colour palette and magnificent costume work are a joy to behold. There's a lot of really good scenes, too: spoiler

It's a film I definitely admired for trying to speak bluntly about tricky subject matter - society's attitudes towards rape and consent will always be worthy of critique and examination. But PYW can't quite navigate the thorny maze it puts itself in - it addresses its subject matter head-on, but can't wrap that into a coherent narrative. A valiant effort that takes some big swings, but a rather unsatisfactory film in the end.
2 years 12 months ago
Siskoid's avatar

Siskoid

As a rape-revenge fantasy, Promising Young Woman is at once more playful and more distressing than the norm. At times, the movie has a lot of fun making you think something different is happening, and toying with romcom tropes (of all things), but it's also much more grounded than some of the extreme vigilante stuff that has marked the subgenre. It's a black comedy, if anything, and someone spit in it, but you're gonna drink it anyway. Yes, it can be quite blunt about the issue it's dealing with, even didactic, but the only real problem here is that these things still need to be said. And they do. We just saw them play out in recent U.S. Supreme Court appointments. The movie takes us through the entire process of men being the victims in a system that happily destroys women, with the wry satirical wit that also gave us the title. And it might not have worked without an engaging performance from Carey Mulligan, who you're able to root for, possibly even if she crosses the line. Great supporting cast too, especially Bo Burnham, who gets to be funny while you wait for the other shoe to drop (and it doesn't matter if it does, because the tension is all).
3 years 1 month ago
SpacePauls's avatar

SpacePauls

Who forgets that they have a rape tape?
3 years 2 months ago
frankqb's avatar

frankqb

A somewhat humourous evisceration of macho/rape culture with a spine-tingling performance by Carey Mulligan. Definitely worth a watch!

5 stars
3 years 3 months ago
Fonzleclay's avatar

Fonzleclay

What a picture! It definitely feels like a directorial debut, in a good way. Emerald Fennell throws everything she has at this movie, she goes for the gusto and makes a big impression. Nothing is played safe and it’s all the more powerful for it. And of course it’s held together by an empowering performance by Carey Mulligan. I am blown away.
3 years ago
Jazzy's avatar

Jazzy

It's a good movie but really distressing, this isn't a fun revenge romp like the trailer suggests.
3 years 2 months ago
viccc's avatar

viccc

A real-world Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie is one of the producers) indulges in a bubblegum-and-GHB revenge fantasy against the preppy, macho men who once crossed her. The darkness of the victim's rage is given full vent here, but with twist upon twist.
3 years 3 months ago
boulderman's avatar

boulderman

Very good. Deep. Like Hard Candy. Great writing. Some cliches. Whilst not necessarily the case and there are lessons here, I hope when someone is in need, men or anyone shouldn’t be discouraged to assist someone in need. Looking forward to the writer directors next film... and Carey’s.
3 years ago
janinavuoti's avatar

janinavuoti

Fucking heartbreaking. I started watching this thinking it's a dark comedy, but damn. Makes you remember the reality of too many women.
6 months ago
essaywhu's avatar

essaywhu

A fascinating film. References to Night of the Hunter made it even stronger. Fantastic soundtrack. Made me think, not just about the film, but about similar traumatic situations I’ve either heard about from either on the news, or about someone I know in my life.

I thought the blowjob lips makeup scene was a little over the top, but I just searched for it on YouTube and saw there are multiple tutorials, so that shows how much I know.
3 years ago
Torgo's avatar

Torgo

People are really eager to forgive how one-dimensional this movie is.
3 years 2 months ago
baraka92's avatar

baraka92

Copied from Metacritic:
quote:
I loved it, and then I hated it... and then I liked it again... then I was mad... then angry.... then sad...

Contender for movie of the year.
3 years 3 months ago
airi86ja's avatar

airi86ja

Carey Mulligan made me truly surprised about her character Cassandra. Before looking the film i'd thought she does not fit for the strong/dark/sexy character as Cassie (because of her other - bright, light, soft character roles i was used to). But i was so so wrong! Carey did an amazing job and i felt so many different emotions while watching "Promising young woman". Truly an exceptional one!
2 years 12 months ago
Axel Fritzler's avatar

Axel Fritzler

Carey Mulligan for the win!!
3 years 3 months ago
CElia_'s avatar

CElia_

Fun, campy and it has such an important message.
3 years 1 month ago

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