Saltburn (2023): Cinematic Masterpiece or Style over Substance?
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Taking a page from Emerald Fennell’s uber-stylish book, I talk about the film Saltburn (2023), fresh from the LFF 2023. The question: Is the film any good?
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Part 1. What is it about?
Part 2. My review in brief
Part 2. cont. The good.
Part 2. cont. The bad.
Part 3. Conclusion.
If you've watched the video, thanks for watching! Are you going to watch Saltburn? What do you think of uber-artistic films with a clear stylistic direction? I want to know!
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About me:
I am a 20-somethin’ y.o intellectual crackhead, who like books, poetry, and anything else I like to get into (art, films, philosophy, culture, social commentary etc.). Talking books, I like classics, literary fiction, and sci-fi, but will read anything if it’s bad-funny enough.
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(Important) References:
Saltburn (2023), dir. Emerald Fennell
Hamlet (1948), dir. Laurence Olivier
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Music:
Opening Song: Stephen Heller, Op. 45 No. 4 (Sorrow and Joy).
Background music:
- Handel's Coronation Anthem No. 1 (Zadok the Priest) for chorus & orchestra. HWV 258.
- A Murderer's Fugue In F# Minor (Strings) - Michael Zambetas Jr
#film #films #saltburn #emeraldfennell #thesecrethistory #booktuber #videoessay #books #culture #arthousecinema #moviereview #movies #cinema #londonfilmfestival
I think one major aspect which really worked was the theme of wealth fetishism: specifically that the Cattons admire Oliver for his "authenticity," whilst Oliver wants to be everything that the Cattons are. Everybody is aspiring to a completely different life from their own because of aesthetics and surface level misunderstandings, and this is why the twist that some people found ridiculous worked for me.
I agree with you there, and slightly relatedly, I actually think the reveal at Oliver's house was the best because of the dynamics Between the Cattons and Oliver, as well as Elordi's acting.
I loved the movie!. It was well acted, entertaining, thought provoking and shocking.
This is the idea i came away from the film with too, more specifically a view of "style vs substance" as was mentioned in the classroom scene early on. The Cattons are all about style, with Elsbeth demonstrating it perfectly with her hate of "ugly things," whereas Oliver is very much a character of substance with him being described as "real."
I feel like a lot of 2023 movies were visually stunning but struggled to execute on their themes....interesting to see Saltburn falls into the same trap. nice video.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, I feel that the aesthetics of these films have been on point for me, but not quite the writing and the themes.
I absolutely loved this movie. I felt so many emotions over the 2 hours of chaos. I feel people might be looking into this movie too deeply for hidden (well not even hidden) meanings. Just treat yourself and enjoy it. 9.5/10 for me.
So basically it’s meaningless entertainment for fun ok
I bet you did
“Eat the fucking pie!” - Richard E Grant
Yes! I didn't know whether to be shocked or laugh out loud 😂 Richard E Grant is just great generally
Describing this as Brideshead meets Ripley (Kermode also said the same) is spot on! Would highly recommend reading them. Saltburn is viually stunning, with brilliant performances and a twisty plot.
This film looks visually stunning! I really enjoyed your analysis. I would like to see this when it comes out in the US and then come back and watch this video after processing :)
It is amazing visually! Ah thank you, I'm v. interested to find out what you think of Saltburn when it does release in America!
just came across the channel, you earned yourself a new subscriber. great video!! very excited to check this film out once it releases in theaters
Ah, that's really nice to hear! Glad to have you around! Despite the video title, I definitely think it is a fantastic film that you should watch 😁
How does your channel only have 111 subscribers? That's absolutely criminal. Glad to be #112, though. Nice video.
Gosh, this has made my day, man! Thank you 😁
On Brideshead Revisited, in addition to reading the book, you should see the 1981 miniseries with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews, which is considered to be one of greatest British TV shows of all time.
I truly loved the the gothic - Dickensian narrative and thoroughly loved the cinematography .... such richness in the framing of scenes. The twist at the end was also awesome.
This is the first video I have watched of yours, and it won't be the last. Just subscribed. Thank you!
Ah man, thank you 🤗
Great analysis. I was found wanting a lot from the supposed conflict with Barry's counterparts. I think individual performances and styling did a good enough job to distract from this.
Great review !
I just saw this movie (in an early release screening) and truthfully I loved it, I personally think it executed the themes I got from it really well. Being more about greed and how far trivial stuff like money can push us rather than a point on the differences of classes.
While I do think the class stuff within the movie is interesting, I didn't see it as the main theme of the movie. Truthfully, when watching the movie I got big Gatsby vibes from it, not only how the rich hide behind elaborate parties but also the theme of needing to belong beside them, abandoning your humanity to attain such wealth and power.
Though I did love your points and how you made them, I think I'll need to see it again when it officially releases to get a broader opinion.
That's a really good point, I can definitely see those themes there as well. Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!
I was here looking for a honest review of the film and ended up finding so much more! I've just subscribed! Thanks for the insightful and good content!
Awesome! Thank you!
What makes it great isn't the surface level story. It's the layers of symbolism that happen simultaneously and the Easter eggs of metaphors going on as a whole secondary story. The nods to the R o ths Childs 1970s surrealist party, the pagan references, the shakespearian references, the labyrinth, the minotaur, the spider and the web, the moth, the devil, blood, the occult, and the abstract concepts of consumption and sacrifice. The way it explores instinctual ta b o os and fears. And the cinematography/costuming/color palette/acting are all stunning.
People disliked its class commentary, but I think it was subversive. instead of just pointing out that the rich use and consume the poor, it explores the desire for middle class people to consume the rich, not a common theme in movies. It would have been easy to do a Parasite type of theme simply about the evils of only the rich.
I think people also disliked it because it lacked realism. Its a SURREALIST film with a surrealist themed party ending. Don't come looking for realism in this film, and you shouldn't anyways. it's too limiting to want every movie to be literal or even rational. It's a vibey movie and the director intended it that way.
What a great video! I to saw it at LFF and whilst i definitely loved it more then you did, you make some great points! After seeing 'Poor Things' today i'd be very eager to see your views on that!
Ahh, thanks😆! I had to miss Poor Things at the LFF, but I'm definitely going to see it when it hits theatres, and will be posting a review on it lickety-split!
I feel like the whole movie could be summed up by the sisters last monologue about Oliver being a moth. I guess the characters lacked depth in an effort to highlight how superficial Oliver’s relationship to them was but it kinda cheapened the film.
Only thing is Oliver was the Moth who slipped through the window before it was slammed shut. In the end, the Cattons were exactly what he said they were. Spoilt Dogs sleeping upwards.
The character of Oliver Quick is probably one of the greatest villains ever played in film !
Saw it in theater. Excellent movie. Vivid characters, unforgettable sequences.
masterpiece
I really liked this film. Lots if twists. Love the grandeur moments with the context of casual. The set was stunning. I loved the messy, rave like party in an old English castle. Def push the audience’s comfortability. It was good
im curious why you hit the letter r like a w. Ive heard it a few times before and it's also in a movie called The King on netflix where a high-ranking priest has a similar accent. where is it from? Im just curious.
"hit the letter r like a w" sounds like I'm performing a dance move lol! I'm from the South of England, but I actually have no idea if it's an aspect of a regional accent, or just a quirk in my personal phonetics 🤷🏽
hahaha HIT THAT R with a wiggle@@UpintheAirft.Zurich
This seems like an Art Movie.
It is... a waste of time.
I KNOW you did not just call Beau Is Afraid Oscar Bait 0:17
Ha! I've seen it and very funny last line
😂
new sub here! 😊
Ahh, thankss man!
The basic premise sounds a lot like the beginning of Brideshead Revisited. I assume it will be a lot sexier.
You're quite right there, the movie actually references the book (prob to get a headstart on that comparison)
I was so excited about this movie but I was very disappointed. The ending is exactly what I expected it to be, even from the trailers. I don’t know why people are saying this film is a masterpiece & that it had so many twists and turns. I guess the movie had twists but they all led to the same very predictable & obvious ending, which is boring. People compare this film to The Talented Mr. Ripley which I do not understand AT ALL. What made that movie so good is that the audience never knew what Tom Ripley was going to do next or how far he would go. Oliver’s motives in Saltburn are predictable and they really don’t make sense, in my opinion. Oliver isn’t poor or lower class. We see that he comes from a wealthy background too, so his only motivation for vengeance is because Felix ignored him sometimes……….until he didn’t and invited Oliver to spend the summer with his family. Unlike in the talented Mr. Ripley, Tom is actually extremely poor & has to work multiple jobs just to survive to the next day. Tom idolizes the rich but he also hates and is offended by their easy & carefree lifestyle that wasn’t earned and taken for granted. Also it’s very clear that Tom Ripley is romantically attracted to Dickie and most of Tom’s attraction to Dickie, comes from Dickie’s wealthy and lavish lifestyle. So Tom’s actions towards Dickie Greenleaf make sense.
But again what was Oliver’s motivation for all of this? Yes he inherited money but he was already wealthy so why does that matter??? However, I liked the cinematography and the acting.
i sort of liked that it was “surface level” or “flat” with themes because it’s reflective of how the catton family glosses over things they dont want to dive into if that makes sense. i wouldnt say saltburn is a commentary on eat the rich or anything but just about oliver meddling in a higher society and tearing apart the cattons. maybe im trying to excuse the movies flaws because of how mucu i loved this film though because the scene with venetia in the bathtub felt off, the reveal of olivers intentions was kinda corny, and the ending paced rlly quickly. i rlly enjoyed this movie nonetheless i love saltburns tone, style, and score. personally, i thought it was brilliant and much better than her previous film, promising young women in how less predictable it was and how much better the story telling was. its quite ambiguous with olivers motives but idc i love it.
Just out the cinema and the visuals and acting went hand in hand, the casting was great and fitted the films style. No idea why people are picking it apart
It's simple really. Saltburn was expected to be another eat the rich story about class disparity, image over merit and young decadence(themes to which Fennell had no loyalty) but got a period tale of queer obsession and unrequited love that turned it's attention to the conquest of an ancestral estate over the bodies of the family who own it.
BOTH BOTH BOTH
photography thooooo
I knowww, it's pretty darn good, not gonna lie!
I thought it was the best film I’ve ever seem
Film critic Richard Brody wrote 'Saltburn' is 'Brideshead' for the Incel age. After viewing Fennell's 'A Promising Young Woman' I'd say her current movie is style over substance. I think I'll pass.
I think that your analysis was kind of short, and could be fleshed out a little. I would really like to see a deeper delve from your point of view.
But other than that I kind of agree with you. It was a good (bordering okay) movie, not great. Definitely was Oscar bait for Emerald Fennell. It literally felt like a rip-off of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and Fennell's Promising Young Woman. It felt like the story would be more compelling with the story gender reversed.
On top of that, there were too many contradictions throughout that made it so... unsatisfying at the end. The twist - wasn't even really a twist, any one who watches movies (with a brain) could see that coming. And it did nothing for the social commentary of the movie. Like okay.. and? so? don't we all? It's the inane fetishism that pulls through and you can see that it ultimately doesn't make sense. Unless all the actions were used to mock. But then again Oliver pulls that shit and it really really just contradicts itself. It was all for the over the top, show stopping influence of money and power. But there was nothing further than that. It felt like Fennell was saying - look I can still direct a stylish movie.
Definitely style and shock value over substance
If your a hetro dude with low tolerance for decadent bullshit, I guarantee youll have a hard time with this movie.
Stylistically it looks obviously beautiful, but my fear is that it will feel like a big nothing.
Like a large scale Cruel Intentions for teenage girls.
Hopefully it's better than a promising young woman because that was ridiculous, predictable & empty.
It's not! It's even worse!
Style over substance, it’s not even up for debate
Tried to hard. Felt like they were going for Krubrick.
Is this a gay movie?
Yes
even though there is zero social media in the film, this is definitely a movie for the social media age. Go for broke, show-anything-to-get-attention-at-any cost. Pretentious trash made by a woke director who came from money who pretends she’s above it all.
Looks pretentious
To each their own :)
Why hope for an intimacy coordinator, when just maybe the guys were getting it on, getting down, and having fun in front of the cameras? So much woke just gets boring in the creative process.
You’ll realise how ridiculous this comment is if you actually watch the film too…
she was making a joke about him having sex with dirt bro
I gave up after your first 90 seconds of style without substance.
The intro to this video was really annoying and boring. I exited after less than a minute 👎