Unsettling social commentary picture, has a beautiful Kubrick-esq tone.
The film is set in a luxury tower block during the 1970s. Featuring a wealth of modern conveniences, the building allows its residents to become gradually uninterested in the outside world. The infrastructure begins to fail and tensions between residents become apparent and the building soon descends into chaos.
It is similar in some fashions to 2014’s Snowpiercer and Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange - however the more abstract, arthouse nature of the film is what makes it standout. Having read the book prior, I was familiar with the concept and while this isn’t quite as good as the book, it’s very close.
The cast are all superb, I can not fault a single actor. Hiddleston and Irons are the stand-outs, with Luke Evans and Sienna Miller also offering noteworthy performances. The score is beautiful and sinister, while the cinematography is mind-boggling. The narcissistic, cynical nature of the leading character should make you hate him, but due to Hiddleston’s depth and intelligent performance you can identify with aspects of the character.
Overall if you love arthouse movies that offer social commentary through the use of violence and sex (like Clockwork Orange) this is for you. If not probably good to stay away. However, it’s a piece of art - utterly brilliant!
4.5 Stars
Review by Benjamin Maio Mackay
Screening courtesy of Palace Nova Cinemas
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