396 words, 2 minutes read time.
Saltburn is a wickedly funny thriller that exposes the casual, shallow cruelty of the British upper class. The film, directed by Emerald Fennell, follows Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a poor Oxford student who becomes fascinated by Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), a charming and wealthy aristocrat. Oliver worms his way into Felix’s world of privilege and excess, and soon discovers a web of lies, lust, and murder.
The film is a contemporary twist on The Talented Mr Ripley, with nods to Brideshead Revisited and The Great Gatsby. Fennell sets the film in the mid-2000s, a time of economic prosperity and social transformation, to highlight the contrast between the rich and the poor. She also mocks the pretentiousness and hypocrisy of the elite, who enjoy a life of drugs, sex, and violence, while pretending to be respectable and moral.
The film is visually stunning, with extravagant costumes, locations, and cinematography. The soundtrack, featuring pop hits from the 2000s, adds to the nostalgic and ironic tone of the film. The performances are superb, especially Keoghan, who plays Oliver as a complex and captivating anti-hero, and Rosamund Pike, who steals every scene as Felix’s glamorous and ruthless mother, Elspeth.
Saltburn is not a subtle or nuanced film, but rather a bold and daring one. It is full of shocking twists, dark humor, and social commentary. It may not appeal to everyone, but it is certainly a memorable and entertaining ride. Saltburn is a film that reveals the ugly truth of the British class system, and challenges us to question our own values and identities.
One of the most striking aspects of the film is its sexual nature. The film does not shy away from depicting the erotic and violent encounters between Oliver and Felix, as well as other characters. The film explores the themes of desire, jealousy, betrayal, and identity through the lens of sexuality. The film also shows how sex is used as a weapon, a tool, and a currency by the characters, who manipulate, seduce, and exploit each other for their own gain. The film does not moralize or judge the characters’ sexual choices, but rather exposes the consequences and complexities of their actions. Saltburn is a film that pushes the boundaries of sexual representation, and invites us to reflect on our own fantasies and realities.
Reviewed by Pat Harrington
Picture credit: By IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74710333
