Cracks
3/4
Starring: Eva Green, Juno Temple, Imogen Poots, Maria Valverde
Rated R for Some Sexuality, Nudity, and a Disturbing Attack
Let me state upfront that this is not for the average filmgoer. It is too slow-moving and subtle for those raised on Michael Bay's films to appreciate. There's no plot, a lot of beautiful images and and talking. That being said, I'm giving a recommendation because I liked it, and giving it less than because most people won't like it is incredibly dishonest.
"Cracks" is the debut feature of Jordan Scott, the daughter of Ridley Scott and niece of his brother, Tony (both serve as executive producers). It's a stunning debut, and unlike anything that either of her relatives have done. This is an arthouse film through and through.
Scott tells the story of a diving team at an exclusive boarding school in 1930's England. Stuck-up Di (Temple) is the team captain. The team is coached by the earthy and charismatic Miss G (Green), to whom the team members are incredibly devoted. A new girl from Spain arrives to join the team. Her name is Fiamma (Valverde), a wealthy aristocrat. Miss G and the younger girls are happy to have her, but Di and her friend Poppy (Poots) view her as a threat and treat her with hostility.
The acting is terrific. The star of the show is Eva Green. Miss G is worldly and breathes life into her pupils. She is so seductive that it's a little creepy. There's something not right about her and her relationship with these young girls. Green, who frequently plays strange characters, is very good in the role. We can see why the girls would be beguiled by her, and also why they should be wary of her. Juno Temple, a young actress on the rise, is also very good as Di; she reminded me of Saoirse Roman in "Atonment," which Temple also starred. Both Briony and Di are conceited, insecure and vindictive. And yet Di has her moments of kindness as well. Maria Valverde, a Spanish actress that is an unknown, is terrific as Fiamma, who is kind to the other girls but is catching Miss G in some uncomfortable situations. She draws our sympathy more than anyone.
This film is a cross between Tarsem's "The Fall" and Tim Roth's "The War Zone." Like Tarsem, Scott creates a number of beautiful images that she lovingly crafts. She uses a lot of unique camera angles and choreography to give the film the look of a moving painting. Thematically, it's like "The War Zone" in the sense that an older figure destroys the innocence of a younger girl (or girls in this case). It's not nearly as disturbing as Roth's masterpiece, but it is at times quite unsettling.
The problem with the film is it lacks focus and sometimes drags. Di's character arc is also handled ineffectively. She seems to change depending on the needs of the screenplay. Temple is talented enough to bridge the gap for the most part, but she still seems bipolar.
As I've said before, this is not for everyone. But if you're willing to take a chance, it's kind of hard not to fall under its hypnotic spell.
Starring: Eva Green, Juno Temple, Imogen Poots, Maria Valverde
Rated R for Some Sexuality, Nudity, and a Disturbing Attack
Let me state upfront that this is not for the average filmgoer. It is too slow-moving and subtle for those raised on Michael Bay's films to appreciate. There's no plot, a lot of beautiful images and and talking. That being said, I'm giving a recommendation because I liked it, and giving it less than because most people won't like it is incredibly dishonest.
"Cracks" is the debut feature of Jordan Scott, the daughter of Ridley Scott and niece of his brother, Tony (both serve as executive producers). It's a stunning debut, and unlike anything that either of her relatives have done. This is an arthouse film through and through.
Scott tells the story of a diving team at an exclusive boarding school in 1930's England. Stuck-up Di (Temple) is the team captain. The team is coached by the earthy and charismatic Miss G (Green), to whom the team members are incredibly devoted. A new girl from Spain arrives to join the team. Her name is Fiamma (Valverde), a wealthy aristocrat. Miss G and the younger girls are happy to have her, but Di and her friend Poppy (Poots) view her as a threat and treat her with hostility.
The acting is terrific. The star of the show is Eva Green. Miss G is worldly and breathes life into her pupils. She is so seductive that it's a little creepy. There's something not right about her and her relationship with these young girls. Green, who frequently plays strange characters, is very good in the role. We can see why the girls would be beguiled by her, and also why they should be wary of her. Juno Temple, a young actress on the rise, is also very good as Di; she reminded me of Saoirse Roman in "Atonment," which Temple also starred. Both Briony and Di are conceited, insecure and vindictive. And yet Di has her moments of kindness as well. Maria Valverde, a Spanish actress that is an unknown, is terrific as Fiamma, who is kind to the other girls but is catching Miss G in some uncomfortable situations. She draws our sympathy more than anyone.
This film is a cross between Tarsem's "The Fall" and Tim Roth's "The War Zone." Like Tarsem, Scott creates a number of beautiful images that she lovingly crafts. She uses a lot of unique camera angles and choreography to give the film the look of a moving painting. Thematically, it's like "The War Zone" in the sense that an older figure destroys the innocence of a younger girl (or girls in this case). It's not nearly as disturbing as Roth's masterpiece, but it is at times quite unsettling.
The problem with the film is it lacks focus and sometimes drags. Di's character arc is also handled ineffectively. She seems to change depending on the needs of the screenplay. Temple is talented enough to bridge the gap for the most part, but she still seems bipolar.
As I've said before, this is not for everyone. But if you're willing to take a chance, it's kind of hard not to fall under its hypnotic spell.
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