Lisa Frankenstein
Lisa Frankenstein
Starring Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Carla Gugino
Directed by Zelda Williams
Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) is an outcast who dresses in Goth and spends her time at the local abandoned cemetery reading in front of a grave belonging to a man she doesn't know (Cole Sprouse), but feels a connection to - because she too wishes she was dead. When he rises from the dead he goes in search of her, thinking she wants to be with him in the living world. At first she's repulsed and frightened by him, but slowly begins growing feelings toward her Creature, setting out to get the body parts he needs to become fully human again - at the cost of people she deems evil.
The Good:
"Lisa Frankenstein" is obviously a loving nod to the classic offbeat comedies of yesteryear, drawing obvious comparisons to films like "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands," "Heathers," and "Weird Science," and if it was released in the 80s it would be fondly remembered among that pantheon today. It's got the heart, the feel, and the essence of the 80s aesthetics (especially since it takes place in 1989), and is a breezy watch that's filled with humor, emotion, and pathos - and a few dismembered body parts as well.
Kathryn Newton continues her rise to superstardom as Lisa, who perfectly balances comedy and youthful angst told through the eyes of an outcast who can't get a break. Her mom was murdered, her dad remarries a woman who treats her as a slave, and her stepsister is the popular cheerleader who, surprisingly, actually has emotional depth. She doesn't really have any friends or anyone to talk to, so she spends her days at the cemetery wishing she was dead with the man who's grave she frequents. Newton not only delivers deadpan humor at breakneck speed, but her physical humor is also on point, especially when she first encounters the Creature and the hilarious chase through the house.
Yet it's not just comedy, but we also see Lisa's desire for something more, for someone to love her in a world that's devoid of love. She crushes on a guy at school but he doesn't seem to give her the light of day, and she perfectly encapsulates that strange, awkward teenage years as she faces nothing but troubles in her life, and now she has a Creature that she has to hide from the world. Yet as she does, she begins to develop real feelings for him, and sets out to make him fully human - which also leads to humorous (and horrendous) consequences.
Cole Sprouse has a more difficult job by playing the Creature, as essentially this is a silent picture role - he doesn't have any speaking parts, and must instead rely on his physicality to get his story across. He does so brilliantly, using both physical humor and depth of emotion from his eyes to understand a world long removed from his Victorian-era years. Yet wisely Diablo Cody doesn't rely on the traditional jokes for moments like this - he doesn't get scared by a lightbulb, he doesn't get freaked out by technology, and he becomes an (almost) fully human character.
Yet the surprising performance comes from Liza Soberano, who plays Lisa's stepsister Taffy. She's a cheerleader and one of the most popular girls in school, but again Cody defies expectations by not making her the typical brain-dead evil cheerleader you see in movies like this. Instead she's caring and compassionate (even if she is still a bit dumb), a girl who's heart is in the right place and who has a true connection with Lisa, even when sometimes it seems she doesn't.
The film was directed by Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late comedic genius Robin Williams, and it's her directorial debut. As such she's expected to have some weak moments, but growing up with comedy royalty taught her some lessons about showcasing the talent, and she does a great job behind the director's chair. You can sense the care, the emotion, and the personality of the young Williams in each scene, proving that she has a strong career ahead of her.
The story itself is silly and campy, but also heartfelt and emotional. Lisa and the Creature set out to get the parts needed to make him human again, and to do so they get revenge on people Lisa deems as evil - which, for a teenage girl, isn't Hitler-level evil. This leads to several hilarious hijinks that are downright gut-rolling, and also gives power to the downtrodden and forgotten. There's also some fun and surprising twists along the way that keeps you enthralled and entertained from the first frame to the last.
The Bad:
Since the film takes place in the 80s, there's a disconnect in the story between then and the now, most notably the effects mental health has on students like Lisa. While she serves as a source of empowerment, some could see her antics in a darker light, and some girls struggling with their own identity and bullying could use the film to take things to unhealthy extremes, especially the ending. Hopefully that's not the case, but I couldn't help but feel a bit off watching the movie in regards to this matter.
While there's not a lot I can say negatively about it, it's also a very safe film. It's a memorable one, but not one that'll be etched in my memory forever. It's fun, funny, touching, and has the complete 80s aesthetics, but not a blockbuster in any sense of the word - it's not great, not terrible, not forgettable, and not wholly memorable.
The Summary:
Proving herself an effective director, Zelda Williams' "Lisa Frankenstein" pays homage to classic 80s films while providing a comedic, touching story about an out-of-place girl and her loving Creature using the stellar acting talents of Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse.
The Score: B+
Comments
Post a Comment