Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman (2020)
A couple of years ago I was looking at the front cover of the Christmas edition of the TV Times (a Barlow family tradition) and searching my mind as to why I recognised one of the cover stars. There were three midwives from Call the Midwife and one was bothering me. It finally dawned on me that she was Camilla Parker Bowles in the most recent episodes of The Crown. Two years later she’s a TRIPLE Oscar nominee. And that folks, is show business!
Emerald Fennel writes, produces and directs this debut and is nominated for the job lot! It’s fun, vibrant and stylish and an absolute breath of fresh air for what is often a stuffy race.
Carey Mulligan snatches her second Best Actress Oscar nomination playing Cassie; A former medical student who, at thirty, is living with her parents and working at a coffee shop. Everybody wants more for her but she lives for one objective. Every week she goes to a bar, pretends to be completely drunk to entice a predatory male and to teach the scumbag a lesson. Mulligan has never been so bewitching.
Despite the very serious premise there are fun undertones. Dialogue between characters is punchy yet light. Amongst the malevolent aspects of the neon nightlife there are playful pastel day scenes with the charming Bo Burnham (of stand-up comedy fame).
Mulligan delivers a career best performance and she’s surrounded by a pitch perfect supporting cast. Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox should be in more films. Same with Community and Mad Men star Allison Brie. As should New Girl’s Max Greenwood. And Connie Britton. In fact this is a great showcase for lots of TV talent.
After an unprecedented halt to the film industry, awards bodies have had think outside of the box and look further afield to see who should benefit from their golden pat on the back. The BAFTA’s did a smashing job with their nominees this year. There is welcome absence of pomp and fingers crossed this new trend continues. New filmmakers deserve a chance to shield their eyes from the glaring spotlight of Oscar. Prestigious, historic films will always have their place but so should a commentary as pertinent as this. Why shouldn’t the Best Picture winner include the writer/director cameoing in a YouTube make-up tutorial demonstrating how to perfect the blowjob lip? Spot on.
A relevant and sobering story of love, despair and vengeance. Often sinister but always fun, delivered with smart banter and spirited performances. Plus the soundtrack includes the Spice Girls. Always a win.
9 Well Painted Thumbs Up 👍🏻
