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Minor spoilers, though I tried not to explicitly write about plote points. I’ve stayed away from reviews as best I could before seeing the film, so I would kind of advise not reading if you haven’t seen the film.
I finally watched this today and was floored by this audacious story from Emerald Fennell and a peerless performance from Carey Mulligan. While the best way to go into this film is probably blind, the marketing blitz for its release, staying attuned to the awards race, and having to wait even longer for the PVOD release due to theaters being shut down in my area, that wasn’t the case for me. Still, I was surprised at how shocking the film was for me, even when I’d started to building up an idea of what to expect and anticipation for Mulligan’s performance and where Fennell’s script was headed. Some of my favorite cinematic experiences over the past few years have been films like “Parasite” or “Get Out,” where you really don’t know where things are headed and what is going to unfold next, but you know you’re completely entertained and in the film’s pocket. (You could maybe add “Gone Girl” to that list, but I’d read the book prior to seeing the film, but I imagine the thrill was the same for those who didn’t know what was coming.) “Promising Young Woman” joins those films in completely subverting expectations and surprising me throughout the film, and leaving me totally tense and breathless by the end. Funny enough, I think all of those films work because they are a delicate balance of multiple genres so that the possibilities are endless. Mulligan is beyond. She tiptoes the line of playing to the tone that every scene necessitates without betraying her performance in prior scenes or making future tonal shifts seem out of character. What is a benefit of the script that also comes through in her performance is that Cassie as a character is not fully realized until even the last scene, and the layers continue to be pulled back and not necessarily shoved down our throats. Mulligan does such an outstanding job in building this character whose motivations you mostly understand and intentions you certainly sympathize with, but whose dedication is terrifying and commitment is admirable. Mulligan’s performance, of course, is aided by this outstanding script from Fennell that forces you to reckon with the plot in real time and tackle your stance on the film’s themes without the dialogue having to do the heavy lifting. The vision is fully complete by Fennell’s direction, so assured in tone and stylistic approach that it ultimately becomes her total vision was necessary to tell this intentionally messy story. The conversations and debate about this film is a good thing, and in particular, the ending does not have to be true to your reality or what you would do or what you think should have happened, because a story about the singular experience of sexual assault pervading someone’s life is a story that can only ever be told from one person’s experience. There is no “universal” story about sexual assault and rape culture, so “Promising Young Woman” presenting one so singular and unique is exactly what makes the film so effective, regardless of your personal views or comfort level. It’s a testament to Fennell’s writing and direction, and Mulligan’s performance. The rest of the ensemble is really good in mostly bit parts, although I have to single out Bo Burnham. I think this is a breakout acting role for Burnham, who knows exactly how to play this role to get the audience on his side, and continue to get the viewer grinding their gears on how this character could be redeemed (again, a testament to Fennell’s screenplay to call out that this is what viewers are trained to want and trained to expect, when it is just not the reality of the situation). Between his behind the camera efforts with “Eighth Grade” and this outstanding performance, I continue to be thrilled to see what Burnham does next in any medium. I also just wanted to say that I thought Alison Brie was the best “cameo” of the film, and she may even make my top ten supporting actress personal lineup. Brie has kind of played this role before but damn if she isn’t great at it. Overall, I am glad to be a part of the conversation about this film as there is much to discuss, and I often gravitate to the film’s that give me something to really talk about afterwards, so there is no doubt that this is a film I will revisit and will certainly end up as one of my favorites of the year.
ReplyCopy URLThey definitely mean something? I was thinking that they’re just color-coded so she can easily match up the tally marks with the names. I thought the red/white/blue notebook and red/black/blue inks were chosen specifically to put a mirror up to the USA to reflect our culture of sexual assault and the lack of justice and freedom for survivors.
But if each color represents something in particular: During the film, we never see her write with red ink, I believe…perhaps this is indicative of the altercation becoming violent. If this is the case, then the colors correspond with how the men respond to Cassie’s plot. It could also be the case that the colors correspond with the way in which the men assault her–see Cassie saying a lot of guys don’t wait for her to wake up before they stick their fingers in her.
ReplyCopy URLFYC: Michaela Coel and Rosamund Pike
https://www.nextbestpicture.com/latest/the-next-best-picture-podcast-promising-young-woman
Wow, this podcast about the movie lead by Matt Neglia is really something, I recommend it to everyone who has seen PYW whether you liked it or not.
ReplyCopy URL2021 Award Season, FYC:
Best Actress: CAREY MULLIGAN for PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
Best Actor: DELROY LINDO for DA 5 BLOODS
Best Supporting Actress: GLENN CLOSE for HILLBILLY ELEGYDamn I registered for the BAFTA Q and A but then missed it because I had a few re-writes to do and forgot about it. The irony I attended almost all the other ones but missed the one for my favourite film of this awards season.
Ah well I just have to wait for it to go on YouTube.
ReplyCopy URLFYC OSCARS : PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN IN ALL CATEGORIES (ESP. ACTRESS – Carey Mulligan AND ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY — EMERALD FENNELL), VANESSA KIRBY FOR "PIECES OF A WOMAN", ESSIE DAVIS FOR "BABYTEETH"
https://www.vulture.com/2021/01/promising-young-woman-ending-emerald-fennell-explains.html
On the home page of Vulture, queen slays!
ReplyCopy URL2021 Award Season, FYC:
Best Actress: CAREY MULLIGAN for PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
Best Actor: DELROY LINDO for DA 5 BLOODS
Best Supporting Actress: GLENN CLOSE for HILLBILLY ELEGYBut if each color represents something in particular: During the film, we never see her write with red ink, I believe…perhaps this is indicative of the altercation becoming violent. If this is the case, then the colors correspond with how the men respond to Cassie’s plot. It could also be the case that the colors correspond with the way in which the men assault her–see Cassie saying a lot of guys don’t wait for her to wake up before they stick their fingers in her.
I think it has to do with the levels the men go to before Cassie reveals herself. The first guy (Adam Brody) and the second guy (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) got different colors. The main difference I discern is that the first guy non-consensually kissed her while the second guy non-consensually fingered her. It could also have to do with the way they respond, but we don’t get to see how the first guy responds to Cassie revealing herself.
ReplyCopy URLIt’s quite obvious to any objective viewer in the current climate that Carey (or Vanessa) should win…but this is the Oscars…the same that awarded Frances McDormand over Emily Watson and Brenda Blethyn. So it’s going to Frances of Viola. I say no more.
ReplyCopy URLFYC:
Vitalina Varela, Vitalina Varela (Actress)
Andrea Riseborough, Karim Saleh, Possessor/Luxor (Actress, Actor)
Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, I Care a Lot (Actress, Supporting Actor)
Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, The Duke (Actor, Supporting Actress)
Sophia Loren, Abril Zamora, The Life Ahead (Actress, Supporting Actress)
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman (Actress)https://mobile.twitter.com/badpostmulligan/status/1352984474259238914
Slaying.
ReplyCopy URL2021 Award Season, FYC:
Best Actress: CAREY MULLIGAN for PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
Best Actor: DELROY LINDO for DA 5 BLOODS
Best Supporting Actress: GLENN CLOSE for HILLBILLY ELEGYLate to the party with this one but glad to finally be here. Loved this. Mulligan is so good – not surprising, but I hope this role gets her the recognition she deserves as one of her generation’s best actresses. It seems like it kind of is already. Wouldn’t be surprised if she won, although I wouldn’t have her as my favourite I don’t think. For the film as a whole, I think it has a good chance at a few nominations – I understand why it’s divisive, both thematically and narratively, though. It’s odd for me to see a film and understand why it’s so beloved by some and hated by others, but I think both sides are pretty evident and credible here. I side more with the former, but think it may be too divisive to threaten for a win in Picture. Fennell could get in in Director, but I don’t think I’ll predict her anywhere yet – but this is a bold film, and her script is a bold one which I think should secure an Original nom. Lots of good techs on display too – I think it’s editing is a strong point, as is the cinematography. Burnham is great, but I don’t think it’s the kind of role that will secure a nomination.
Overall I see this as win-competitive in Actress and Original Screenplay. I’d guess at between 3 to 5 noms overall, with its divisive nature and a few issues with the storytelling holding it back in the Picture preferential ballot. Will be a lot of people’s #1 choice though, so definitely one to keep an eye on.
ReplyCopy URLhttps://mobile.twitter.com/badpostmulligan/status/1352984474259238914 Slaying.
Those looks ❤️. She’s beautiful and the camera loves her.
Give me an HBO comedy led by this woman.
ReplyCopy URLhttps://mobile.twitter.com/RedHourBen/status/1352862026398396417
Even Ben Stiller is stanning the movie. We love to see the acclaim. 😍❤️
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