Film review – saltburn
Saltburn (MA)
Directed by: Emerald Fennell
Starring: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike
Review by: Julian Wright
Promising Young Woman creator Emerald Fennell takes a swing at the rich in this wicked, erotic and hilarious romp.
Oxford University scholarship student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) is a quiet and introverted young fellow, his awkward demeanor an indication that he doesn’t really fit the social and financial standing of his peers at the prestigious institution.
He soon befriends the rich and charismatic Felix Catton (Jacon Elordi), who invites Oliver to spend the summer at his manor with his eccentric family, mother Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), father James (Richard E. Grant) and sister Venetia (Alison Oliver).
Oliver is at first overwhelmed by how the other half live and behave, yet soon becomes quite accustomed; but the summer eventually takes a deadly turn.
After Promising Young Woman, Fennell delivers yet another darkly comic (it is pitch black in parts) and daring tale, but with a completely different vibe.
Adding sensuality and eroticism into the mix, this cheeky romp rivals Cruel Intentions in the horny rich teens sub-genre.
Saltburn is filmed in a stunning fashion, has a script that is littered with sharp, biting dialogue and has an accomplished a cast that captures every beat with pitch perfection; Pike is a scene-stealing standout, and Carey Mulligan matches her in a glorified cameo.
Fennell came out of the gate strong with a clear message in Promising; some may say her message was far too obvious and heavy-handed.
On the flip side, it is difficult to ascertain what her message is with Saltburn.
Sure she takes damning swipes at the rich and how they treat the less fortunate, but this isn’t exactly revelatory.
But hey if her goal was to simply deliver a fun, beautifully looking romp for adults, there is nothing wrong with that and she has certainly delivered.
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