 |
| Natalie Portman in Vox Lux |
This Fall seems to be the perfect time for movies featuring complicated female performers. With A Star is Born dominating the box office and almost assuring Lady Gaga some Oscar glory, it's interesting to note that it's not the only film about singers coming out in the next few months. There is of course the indie film Her Smell, which takes on a more grotesque and disturbing take. Then there's director Brady Corbet's Vox Lux, which finds Oscar winner Natalie Portman returning to the race with a film that's been getting press for its intense portrayal of a celebrity going through a crisis. With the first trailer now upon us, the look into Portman's performance is here and it's a surreal, damaged image that is magnetic. Basically, it's the dark horse that this season could use.
As mentioned, Lady Gaga is getting a lot of positive (and deserved) acclaim for A Star is Born. There's no denying her charisma. However, the film festivals have been suggesting that Vox Lux is the quintessential antithesis to that film. It's darker, grosser, and maybe even finds Portman giving a performance that is in line with a Lady Gaga-esque type that is more accurate than the other's more polished and autobiographical version. There's a lot of promise there, especially given that Portman has become a fearless performer, having won Best Actress for Black Swan in which she got into ridiculous shape and head spaces to embody the psychological horror. She has also done an incredible job in recent years with Jackie, which finds her once again embodying a complicated woman. She knows how to get inside their heads and bring out the sympathy and divisiveness that lies within their lives.
Which makes the whole thing around Vox Lux all the more exciting. The pictures alone would suggest some sort of flamboyance that is likely leading to a crazy movie. However, the bigger question is if she will even get into the Oscar race for this portrayal. After all, it's a smaller film, and one that has been untested until this trailer. For there only being two months left in the year, there's still a lot of open spots in the race, and nobody knows how good later contenders will be, such as the still unreleased Mary, Queen of Scots. It all depends on how those things go. Portman has the clout, but will the film not be too niche for audiences and get some traction. Who knows.
Check out the trailer below:
Looks very good. Here's the plot description according to IMDb:
An unusual set of circumstances brings unexpected success to a pop star.
Among the interesting things about the trailer is Portman reuniting with Jude Law, of whom starred in the film that got her her first Oscar nomination with Closer. There's also a lot of flashy costumes that make the film, if not anything else, all the more alluring. There's something magnetic about watching her move. She also has a physicality to her role that seems interesting, especially as she tumbles down hallways and tries to stay afloat during tepid relationships. It's everything that a rock star story would deserve, and Portman seems like the actress who will bring a grounded humanity to this story. There's also a lot of striking imagery, which may make this into something a bit more dreamlike.
With all of that said, it's hard to see this film being a runaway hit with Oscar darlings when more conventional films are coming out. There's a lot of memorable performances with hype behind them, and it does seem that for as unsure as the year has been that it will be a decent battle. With that said, Portman is a tried and true voice who has lead indies to the Oscars on quite a few occasions now. She is charismatic and interesting, and this trailer is arguably one of the most interesting looking movies of the year, especially with its anti-A Star is Born reputation. Time will tell, but if nothing else it looks like it will be a great experience for those wanting their rock star stories to have a weirdness along with the depth.
No comments:
Post a Comment