Spoilers are biased and so am I.
I often think that the subject of the film does not matter as much as the storytelling. There’s a very high number of films in which the subject has been my ultimate cup of tea but they’ve been a bore to watch due to poor storytelling, lackluster performance or simply a really weak execution. So, naive me though that even a subject so removed from my estimation such as privilege and elitism chasing in a renowned university in the first world could become interesting in the right hands. Let’s cut to the chase, I didn’t enjoy watching this one.
Saltburn (2023) was written and directed by Emerald Fennell. We’re at the University of Oxford, where we meet young scholarship Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan). He wants to fit in, but more than just study he wants to become part of this upper-class elite that seems to own the world. He meets charming and popular Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) who welcomes him into his friend circle. He’s immediately shunned and alienated by Felix’s cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), who does not accept him. Oliver eventually gets invited to Saltburn, the family’s country house where he meets Felix’s parents’ Sir James (Richard E. Grant) and Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike) as well as Felix’s sister Venetia (Alison Oliver).
What we have is a dark comedy where Oliver is obsessed about Felix and his life to the point of adoration and blind faith. Now, this is a dark comedy where we’re about to witness the depths to which Oliver will go to become part of the rich and privilege. The problem is this subject in which we have the rich elite and the elite wannabes is all about entitlement and craving it. It’s not relatable or amusing not even as a guilty pleasure. It’s the likeability of these characters or my empathy for their turmoil, but with both things missing it really becomes a chore to sit through it.
It doesn’t work for me. Cinematographically, it has some amazing shots. I can see how it will have som mainstream appeal as well. We have the character of Oliver seeking status above his station, manipulating events in his favour and masquerading as elite. He’s even worse as someone who’s doing it for his own ego. I’m not seeking altruistic motives here. Even Felix, with all his sympathy and compassion for the meek and downtrodden is a bit too patronizing to sympathize with. I’m pretty sure there’s a way to show this world in a more bening light, this one I just found very alienating. Not that it doesn’t have some amazing production, it’s just an atmosphere of excess.
Not recommended, but it will find an audience. I’d just much rather wash my hands off this one, to the point that this review was not going to see the light of day. You might find the dark humour entertaining, and there’s plenty of examples where you can see the filmmakers excel at framing the hypocrisy of its characters. As unfair as I’m being to it, I have not berated the craft nor the talent of the filmmakers here. Might be worth a watch if you’re willing to give it a chance.
That will do for now.
Never Think Impossible 