VOX LUX (2018)

Written & Directed By: Brady Corbet 
Cinematography: Lol Crawley 
Editor: Matthew Hunnam 


Cast: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Stacy Martin, Jennifer Ehle, Raffey Cassidy, Christopher Abbott, Maria Dizzia, Matt Servitto 


An unusual set of circumstances brings unexpected success to a pop star.


Some films are more meant for you to marvel at the craft more than the story then again it might be like in literature the way and beauty of the language that you. You notice first as the story and how they interact that make people notice and study.

It’s up to time and the audience to decide how it ages, it’s reputation and it’s identity. Sometimes that might be the only noteworthy aspect or what takes presidence over other aspects.

One would say style but it’ never recurring. It’s more presented as what we’re watching is or is going to be epic. As it is presented grand with grandeur designs. The film is made with great artistry that easily calls attention to itself.

Natalie Portman has Always been interesting with her choices. I have been following her career since THE PROFESSIONAL she always seems to reconfigure her roles but always comes off with refinement. She always seems to have an independent streak In her roles. As she tries to avoid repeating herself. Though Questionable heavy accent that goes in and out that the actress playing her younger doesn’t have.

She is the strange actress because she comes across with grace and an elegant presence. A true star quality they she increasingly stars in indie films that make her an add fit. So that it feels like she is slimming it trying too hard if the film is not of a certain pedigree or presentation. She is a true classic star though those are the films she lends her star quality to it rises the project to a certain level automatically. Though she is over the top at times here. You think she might see her as playing someone of self delusion.

Jude Law plays her New York hustler manager makes the main cast seem like they are either trying too hard to play against type unraveling showing how fame and celebrity can wear on a person especially after they have been left in delusion it their wonder has diminished and are wounded but refuse to admit it.

Just bad luck it seems after branding and finding fame after tragedy. Tragedy seems to come along when she is barely holding on. As her success and fame seems to go along with the nation and her fans.

Though the film comes off as melodrama that is meant to be an overreaching character study. Through a glamorous lens and style. It feels like it’s supposed to be the making and fall like if a diva.

The film takes getting used to just as Natalie Portman’s Staten Island accent does for her character. Where after awhile some of the characters more start to sound like characters from the television show RAY DONOVAN with the accents so heavy. Though the film is stunning in it’s own way. Though like the film her performance is wonderous but doesn’t reach the right note.

The irony those who are meant to protect her and take care of her who shun and try to make her safe and treat her sister like she Is corrupting her seem more like bad influences themselves. They are the ones who make more commission off of her. While her sister seems to be the only one who actually cares and is trying to help her in the end and her daughter.

The narration by Willem Dafoe seems pretentious but informs the film though the whole film could seem that way.

Raffey Cassidy plays two roles in the film that might represent the spirit of the lead character and goes into her daughter to portray innocence and the possibility of what if. As she still has her own life ahead of her.

It’s one of the films rhythms as the film wants to accept it’s reality but then continuously tries to throw you off. As it wants to be it’s own storybook and fairy tale and use the pop star motif of celebrity, fame, evil and the dangers of it all together to tell the story in it’s own way.

The film never seems to rise to it’s proportions presented. The second half of the film in act 2, a prelude and act 1 comes before it is a lead up to a performance concert. Don’t know how it goes from uplifting reveal to sparkly dance music that sounds futuristic and alien that comes off more European.

The film stays fascinating that at least tries while the character goes for glam we see more of the gritty hardness behind the scenes to maintain and get her there and Present herself in anywhere.

The late reveal she made deal with the devil of sorts and has been paying the price ever since with the moral that you should be careful what you wish for. In a more vivid way that still feels small scale.

Just as you begin to wonder what this movie is all about. It starts to build itself towards a grand finale. 

Grade: B