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Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor. © MRC, T-Street Productions and Star Thrower Entertainment. Directed by Chloe Domont. Netflix will distribute the film soon after Sundance.
Watched it at Sundance Film Festival 2023 Online through Eventive (Sundance #1)
A Engagement Can Turn Sideways For The Better or Worse... Just the two lead characters, the producers behind it, and the plot itself got me interested in this film. Oh boy, it was a wild independent film. If Uncut Gems and The Notebook had a baby and their son Money Monster met this film, it's no wild surprise that this film couple will be exploding money and hooking up until someone breaks their point. It's an intense film from start to finish and with the wild lead performances, let's say the film can be viewed from many points of view. Join me in the big apple and explore this couple who are about to have the wild ride of their life. Story: Hot off the heels of their new engagement, thriving New York couple Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) can’t get enough of each other. When a coveted promotion at a cutthroat financial firm arises, supportive exchanges between the lovers begin to sour into something more sinister. As the power dynamics irrevocably shift in their relationship, Luke and Emily must face the true price of success and the unnerving limits of ambition. This was a sleek film from the editing to the direction and to the performances. This was a wild ride and be prepared to get romanticized the fuck out of you. The story of this film is very original yet strong with its great direction from Chloe Domont. I really loved how we get immediately to the engagement part but the drama that keeps this couple together is the wall street job itself. It mirrors the strengths, weaknesses, and struggles of being a wall street broker while maintaining a relationship. Plus it was unexpected and it goes downhill from there. I love that the film balances these two characters' motivations and struggles while keeping the work intact. The plot gets wacky in the second act but in a good way. It goes deeper into the rabbit hole of money, numbers, drinking, and bets. I love that it doesn't shy away from the dangerous parts of being on wall street and with these side characters, it makes it rawer and feel lived in. What made the plot more interesting mid-way through is that it explores the greediness of these people and the environment of a workplace. The production design of the offices is amazing and with the cold difference living inside an NYC apartment is so interesting. Just the production design alone carries the symbolism of NYC, Wall Street, and the lives of these characters living in. The characters in this film are amazing. I really loved Phoebe's performance and her final scene really brought the film full circle. Her character shows how she worked hard to be in this career while showing some of her darkest sides and sexual obsession. With the costume design in the film, it showcases Phoebe's character that she is willing to take on being the most smartest and badass broker in the office and take power. While for Alden's character Luke, it's a completely different story. Alden's performance is absolutely amazing. It's been over three years since his silver screen performance in Solo: A Star Wars Story and he really made a screaming returning debut in this film. His performance was over the roof and his character was pretty calming but when he breaks, he breaks. His character shows the conflicting aspects of being a broker and working way harder than you can but not achieving the golden aspect that is required. Some of his breaking point scenes are the best and it shows that his character skills and relationship are not holding up well because of one stupid promotion. It's so done well and it mostly comes around with jealousy. Jealously can break a person easily or slowly if the thing starts to show in front of you constantly. Jealously is the name of the game and I love how in the end, you must forget about it or it can badly damage a part of your life. I haven't seen Jealously been taken seriously in film for a while and this film handles the theme alongside the subjects of marriage, work, and social life very seriously. The screenplay is very strong with its slick dialogue and editing. The humor is very smart but literally smart. Not the cliche critic-type quotes you see but this film delivers the comedy and swearing on point. I love that. The cinematography is so well done and once again, the production design alone really carries the weight of the film to show some of its symbolism and feelings of these characters around some of these environments. Since this is an indie film, there may be some trips along the way. The "villain" of the film was pretty weak but I enjoyed his performance from Eddie Marsan. The pacing was a bit weird in the second act of the film in which case it almost got lost but it got back on track when the couple wasn't together. I thought it would be an Uncut Gems vibe from what critics hear but it wasn't the style. I got misled but in a good way. I was mixed with the cold opening of the film but when they got to work inside wall street, that's where the good shit starts to get heated up. Some people might be mixed with the ending but I really loved how it ends. It's a damn good watch. This was definitely a wild erotic ride from start to finish. Full of marriage problems, money, sex, power, and jealousy are all over the place in this film. It's a well-crafted independent film with slick cinematography, dialogue, and editing to make the tensions high constantly. I really loved the two lead performances and this is a fantastic directorial debut from Chloe Domont. I cannot wait for her next project and what she has in store for the future. It's also nice to see Rian Johnson producing this as well! Coming Soon on Netflix. Vizeit Score: "A-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2023. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr.
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