KINDS OF KINDNESS (2024)

 

Directed By: Yorgos Lanthimos 

Written By: Yorgos Lanthinos and Effhimis Filippou 

Cinematography: Robbie Ryan 

Editor: Yorgos Mavropsaridis 

Cast: Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hunter Schaffer, Mamoudou Athie, Joe Alwyn, Yorgos Stefanakos 

a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.

Fresh off the heels of his critically acclaimed Hollywood films director Yorgos Lanthimos seems to be Going back to his more experimental type of films bringing with him acclaimed actors.

On the one hand, I applaud him as he exposes more general audiences to experimental films and brings them a little more into the norm. As much as he can. Where he not only actually challenges audiences and their expectations. As well as providing material that is deeper and more thought-provoking than most. Letting them make their own minds on the stories and not hand-holding them throughout.

One only wishes that one could say it feels worth it. While one can enjoy the dynamic aspects and camerawork of his filmmaking. Though have never been the biggest fan of his early experimental work. There always seems to be a challenging renegade spirit to his work. 

Here he presents three different tales that have not only the same cast but the character of RMF to connect them. Essentially a minor character but revolving around various characters. Each tale has a theme, but all seem to include toxicity and love of some kind 

The first story revolves around a character 

Reliant on a boss so much in aspects of their life. What happens when true freedom is offered to them and not know how to survive because we have become so dependent on them. Some might say this story is an analogy of capitalism.

The second story involves a cop whose wife has gone missing at sea and he is not taking it well. Once his wife is back he is overjoyed but becomes convinced something is off and that she is an imposter. We see him seemingly break down as he tries to convince others she is not who she says she is. This story like the one before it revolves around control how comfortable one might be with it and what happens when they are not in control. It also shows how relationships can work and break once your partner makes their own decisions and doesn’t fit the ideal anymore of their partner and how people will stay in an Avis or relationship in hopes of things going back to the way they used to be and are willing to practically sacrifice themselves to make the other happy. 

The third take involves a cult. The members believe in two leaders. Who they can only have sex with. Who are in search of a young woman who can bring the dead back to life. While one of the members keeps running into their ex-husband and daughter. Eventually kicked out one member believes they have found the miracle and then plays like a tragic comedy.

This one shows our reliance on others to make us feel whole and keep us safe give us some kind of meaning and how those who love us can easily break us or betray us for their own comfort and happiness. 

Throughout all do these tales the ensemble cast plays different characters. Some of the biggest names in the cast might be the star of one tale and then a minor character in another.

The title gives away the themes, of how there are different kinds of kindness and how they can be used for good and how some use them to hurt others or have power.

As a whole, these short films coming together make an alright feature. Though separately they might not be as strong or powerful and might either come off as pretentious or offer ideas the audience already knows.

The cast is clearly having fun and in their element throughout. One only wishes it was mutual for the audience. As the film goes along the shocking moments become defining and also expected. It finds the director and cast more at play than offering anything truly strong or solid. It doesn’t seem wasteful, though it doesn’t come off as anything more than a healthy budgeted experiment.

I seemed to have not enjoyed it as much as others, especially critics.

Grade: B-