UNDER THE SILVER LAKE; Where Nothing Is As it Seems...
UNDER THE SILVER LAKE is a nice surprise as it is nothing as expected - understandably since the film was the mystery from the start! - and is a very unique & strange story told in a similar fashion.
It is lengthy but meaty, perfect mash-up of all-things Hollywood/ Los Angeles movie making for a roller-coaster experience when viewers oddly laugh more than they should and worry less about the tension or scares as they will be too busy focusing on the abundant visual enchantments as opposed to David Robert Mitchell previous film. However, it would not be surprising if UNDER THE SILVER LAKE grows up following in the footstep of IT FOLLOW in possibly becoming a bit of a of cult-following/niche movie (puns intended!)
The Story
Let's not get into details as it is 1. a film that will benefit form a "unspoiled viewing" 2. it is actually packing a lot of stuff making very little sense if not seen, and 3. the film is almost purposefully makes fun of the plot (in a good way!) but guess it's a twisted murder mystery so its full of the latest!But, in a nutshell, UNDER THE SILVER LAKE is the story of Sam (Andrew Garfield), a seemingly lost or aimless and jobless but privileged young man on a quest of sort by taking on some kind of detective work in order find a girl and embarks on a weird & fantastic journey as he finds himself caught in the middle of a peculiar situations twist after twist...
Genres and Influences
It is at a the same time a typical neo-noir set in LA with the accompanying cliches (from glorious trillery score, to "detective work", femme fatales & ingenues, villains, eerie sets...) and a new-wave hipster style film by way of Los Feliz / Silverlake vibes with quaint cafes, trendy places, models/actresses doubling in manic-pixie-dream-girls dressed for Coachella, guys wearing exclusively shirts with quirky / obscure-to-not-subtle artwork, and it is provide a sensible would-be realistic portrayal of the many shallow Angelenos / people associated with the lifestyle of the actual and wannabee rich & famous...
UNDER THE SILVER LAKE will also play as an homage to the golden age of Hollywood in its style and showing footage of classic movies as well as cinephiles love for the genre in the protagonist circle (which resonate genuinely to some extend knowing the crowd AND hip people over-appreciation or eagerness to often "make a thing" of all things twice older their age!) One noticeable aspect of the film is its specific bran of humor playing on its ideal target market to "get" all of the jokes but still have plenty to go around with a unique brand of witty cynical line blended with stoner humor and a pinch of a social satire with comical elements from its surrealism .
Sight to behold
Thanks to great location, great style and, as mentioned previously the surrealist nature of scenes with bonkers scenes adding supernatural twists, the film is a real feast for the eye!
On top of that it also offers sensational musical moments a-la LA GRANDE BELLEZA but it will also occasionally - and to a very far reaching extend - remind people of LA LA LAND (guess there is no other recent movie that showcased LA as well as UNDER THE SILVER LAKE than LA LA LAND ...and maybe NIGHTCRAWLER)
Hence ...
LA Movie
If this is not indeed one of the most "LA movie" ever since LA LA LAND (or perhaps a good-mix between the musical and, as stated above, the very LA thriller, NIGHTCRAWLER) In addition, UNDER THE SILVER LAKE, being an homage to old-school Hollywood movie from its golden age, is at time peak LA noir, and in part kind of a perfect "new hipster wave" Los Angeles film; with it's Silverlake setting and all that ensue!
Casting
Andrew Garfield is leading this 2 hours plus movie but it has an impressively large ensemble of characters (like another slightly similar LA film, INHERENT VICE) composed of Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Callie Hernandez, Jimmi Simpson and Zosia Mamet among other and everybody is compelling and believable.
But although it is trying to paint a close to reality picture with the various characters it is a little realistic representation of the actual population in term of ethnicity - as in there were literally only 3 perhaps 4 speaking non-white character and they did not have much to say... A recurrent problem with recent movies trying to portray LA in "fair" light".
*The one criticism: Although Garfield was the perfect choice for the part of this hip guy, seemingly offensive to all the many half-naked women he stalked or who magically appear around him, it is not hard to see that some might find this film somehow problematic...(Garfield performance )It is definitely all about the male gaze and that okay but it feels as thought there is an attempt at "redemption" or "excuse for it (perhaps for the Manson-cult like doomsday polygamist where vulnerable young pretty girl seem brainwashed or taken advantage in a way) by showing women rebellious and "kicking literal balls"... We can't help but imagine this is a story about a white privilege guy even when the focus should be elsewhere on the story.
MORAL OF THE STORY
Above all, it's an absolute visual delight with delirious scenes, gorgeous cinematography, impeccable production design and musical extravaganzas (like we like'em) It might not be everybody cup of tea due to its length or its surreal aspect, but for most - and for most cinephile - it is surely is a "darling"; and without a doubt, one of the best, a 2018 personal favorite and MUST-SEE 9/10
Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. (dir. Steve Loveridge) x VIFF 2018.
Maya’s documentary is a really fitting encapsulation and autobiographical account of her rich life and work. It contextualizes her identity and reputation through her own words without feeling too controlled. Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. proves itself an interesting watch for anyone who finds the artist at all fascinating. It's a truly fitting part of the canon of who Maya is as both a human being and artist.
