THE LOVE WITCH (2016)

Written, Edited, Music & Directed By: Anna Biller 
Cinematography By: M. David Mullen 

Cast: Samantha Robinson, Gian Keys, Laura Waddell, Jeffrey Vincent Parise, Robert Seeley, Jennifer Ingrum, Randy Evans, April Showers 


Elaine, a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, and then picks up men and seduces them. However her spells work too well, and she ends up with a string of hapless victims. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved will drive her to the brink of insanity and murder. With a visual style that pays tribute to Technicolor thrillers of the 1970s, THE LOVE WITCH explores female fantasy and the repercussions of pathological narcissism.
What you will notice first while watching this film is it’s great visual style and overwhelmingly campy tone.

The film chooses to showcase a femme fatale and show her reasons as she is our protagonist. Who is clearly not entirely motivated by revenge. She more feels she is getting what she deserves. After being the victim for so long. She is going for her’s as far as wishes and desires and is obviously willing to work for it and at it. Though her behavior is atrotious we seem to understand her motivations. As the character stays true to the adage that villains obviously don’t see themselves that way.

A Psychedelic. Nostalgic revenge film that also says something about feminism. That is more erotic in the sexy sense rather then graphic or gratuitous. Glimpses of intimacy makes you feel like you are there or a toy to share in it. As the main character falls in love fast but soon finds herself bored or feels tired from the men she has seduced. Who are left over flowing emotions and obsession with her. Kind of like once you get or have experienced someone or something not as strong as you expected and they seem to haunt the thoughts in your head.

The main character will obviously never find happiness she craves. As the men she seduces want an emotional connection after being seduced. They want more than sex. They want someone to talk to and nurturing. Which she seemed to want in the beginning from her husband who left her. Now changing to meet more what she thinks and wants in the moment. Her character represents what it seems like how oh so many times men have treated women over the years in life and on screen. Only they still seem to be thought heroic.

The misogynistic visions of womenhood are challenged and explored here. Her husband left her with this clearly internalized trauma that she chooses to take out on other men. As the characters seem to fear. She seeks to seduce and control them. When actually she just seems to be fascinated until she is tired of them as they become needy and seek some kind of nourishment emotionally and also become dependent.

This is a film fans dream. From the obvious dedication on display from the production to the thoughts and passion of the filmmaker and filmmaking. Not to mention her obvious love of the films and the style she is basing this film on and around.

The settings of the film are smart, sexual flagrant in loud overtones. With the way the female characters dresses almost have a peacock quality. That leave the audience to stare and admire. As they are so eye catching but also represent their difference that also seems to raise the strength of their characters. Who uses magic as that exciting activity needed to make her feel good and focused as an activity. That proves to provide a successful seduction.

Anna Biller, The director provides A unique vision and tries to offer up a different and original point of view. Part of the films powers and strength is nostalgia and homage. That proves to be Free thinking to a degree and speaks to audience. While Offering up a different vision of witches and witchcraft usually thought of as ugly ghoulish and evil. Here they are pretty and seductive with thoughts of being independent and powerful.

Just from the art direction you can tell a lot or passion and care went into the film. As it is An homage to 1960's exploitation films mixed with cult. That technically is Not really a horror as it is too tongue in cheek and funny. While looking and seeming like it could be a film of that same era with Intentional bad acting and line readings. Ridiculous logic and plotting as well as characters. That proves to be A visual delight for props to costumes, Most of which were home made by the director.

The males all look 1950's ere perfect chiseled and hard living with an abstract handsomeness. The men more under her will and spells seem to be more abusive, aggressive and manhandling but that seems to turn her on. As supposed gender roles are taken though he is in power. She has what he wants and he must manage and take care of her.

The fantasy aspect is always more alluring and enchanting. So it is always more the turn on. No matter how pleasing and good the actual is even when surpassing the dream.

The film seems to play games with you as it feels misogynistic at certain points. As it seems like when the camera is unfairly off of her but is catching her at more unusual unguarded angles. that makes the main character less posed and her beauty comes across as second nature natural Takes you back to a time and mindset when women were still overwhelmingly feminine. The film celebrates and pays homage to FEMANISM and the strength of women. Especially them being desirable but also powerful in ways.

The way they can enchant yet don't always want to fill the role of caretaker. They want to be free and can just as fickle believing they want something and once they do get it becoming bored. Not wanting to have to consider a lover's feelings or Be selfish and not looked at as a villain Because of it.

At times it feels like you are watching a night time soap opera, but one for all the right reasons, minus the fights but the male co-stars all have that square jaw look.

The film is Enjoyable as it tends to be a bit silly but has a very keen eye to detail and is handled with care. This film feels like a homemade gift. As it Doesn't try to be anything other than itself, it's comfortable with it's identity.

GRADE: B