Saltburn
Saltburn
Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant
Directed by Emerald Fennell
Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) is a scholarship student at Oxford University who doesn't fit in with anyone due to his quiet, eccentric nature. He's shy, creepy, and deeply longs to be a part of the cool group - especially when that group is led by wealthy socialite Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). After an accidental run-in Oliver is befriended by Felix and opens up to him about his family struggles, leading Felix to feel pity for Oliver but also forms a deep bond between the two. Oliver becomes infatuated with Felix, not just falling in love with him, but wanting to be him. When he's invited to spend the summer at Felix's home castle Saltburn, he agrees despite being worried that he'll be seen as too common.
Then Felix meets the family, and they're as wealthy and naive as they come. Patriarch Sir James (Richard E. Grant) has a childlike feel to him that makes him aloof to certain situations. Felix's sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) is a spoiled brat, and their cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe) is an egotistical, sarcastic guy who constantly berates Oliver for being different. Then there's the matriarch, Elspeth (Rosmaund Pike), who comes off as nice and considerate but is so naive in her prejudices she doesn't see anything wrong with hating ugly people or nicely putting people down. Oliver is a fish out of water, but as the summer progresses he integrates himself more into the family before secrets bubble to the surface that threatens Oliver's idyllic dream.
The Good:
Emerald Fennell is an expert screenwriter, earning an Oscar for her work in her feature film "Promising Young Woman," which was a powerful skewering look at the marginalization of women. Now she maintains that skewed look at reality in "Saltburn," this time focusing on the wealthy elite. The Catton family isn't nice, and there's hardly anything about them worth redeeming. Felix seems the most grounded, but even he exhibits signs of egotism that goes beyond the fray. Yet he's a saint compared to the other members of his family, and Fennell opens the curtains on what it's really like to be rich, and makes you wonder why you'd want to be a part of that elite society in the first place.
Barry Keoghan has a knack for playing strange, offbeat characters in films like "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," "The Green Knight," and his Oscar-nominated performance in "The Banshees of Inisherin," so it's only natural that he plays the role of Oliver Quick in the same vein. He's an odd duck, someone who doesn't have decent people skills, who constantly lies in order to better himself, and has an unhealthy infatuation with Felix. He wants Felix and wants to be Felix, and he doesn't seem to understand the difference. He's offputting in the best possible way, like watching a continual trainwreck that keeps crashing over and over again. You can't look away, and Keoghan gives a career-best performance here.
Jacob Elordi has really made a name for himself in the hit Max series "Euphoria," but 2023 he's really emerged on the big screen. First he played Elvis in "Priscilla" and now he's Felix here, showcasing his natural charm and charisma that makes him a magnet for men and women alike. He is effortless in his ability to make you like him, even though at times he comes across as someone less than reputable.
Rosamund Pike also dominates the screen as the matriarch of the family, providing a sickingly sweet demeanor as she talks bad about anyone around her, even to their faces, thinking it's perfectly alright. She is glad Oliver has pretty eyes because she tells him she can't stand ugly people. She berates her friend who's staying with them while she's going through drug rehab. She does it all with a calm mien that is deeply unnerving.
The entire cast, now that I think of it, does stellar work. Richard E. Grant's James is a bit innocent but also ruthless when he needs to be. Newcomers Alison Oliver and Archie Madekwe steal the scenes as Venetia and Farleigh, where Venetia is a spoiled brat girl who isn't afraid to speak her mind, and Farleigh is a stuck-up snob who's hiding behind a deep insecurity that he masks by making fun of others, especially Oliver.
The cinematography is exquisite and darkly ethereal, and serves as an off-putting feel where you sense that this takes place back in history but then you hear "Low" and realize this takes place in the 2000s. The Saltburn manor is lavish and yet empty, continually providing a sense of foreboding for the insane festivities that will accompany the rest of the movie. It's a stunningly beautiful film to witness, but also delves into sheer madness and nightmare fuel by the end of it all.
The story it a satirical look at the wealthy, but more importantly it's a cautionary tale about excess and obsession. The family seemingly has it all, yet all of them are wholly reprehensible human beings. Oliver at first comes across as a person you care about and don't want to see hurt, but as the film progresses his obsession begins controlling him, and you're left with a gross feeling in the pit of your stomach by the end. This is to Emerald Fennell's credit as she's able to craft such a story that hits so viscerally. You won't forget it once it ends, and while others have claimed this is one of the most disturbing movies they've ever seen, I say that's a big excessive - or I've seen so many movies I'm just desensitized to it all.
The Bad:
There's moments at the end that feels like a "Scooby-Doo" reveal that sort of slaps the audience for not thinking things through more, but it's a light tap that still opens your eyes to the hidden things going on that you really might not have seen the first go-around.
The Summary:
Providing her unique satirical look at the wealthy and the obsession with it, Emerald Fennell's "Saltburn" is a film that'll stick with you due in no small part to a career-best performance by Barry Keoghan.
The Score: A
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