- Don’t Worry Darling
2022-Thriller – 2h 2m, 2,5-in scale: 1-5,
Director: Olivie Wilde, Interpretations: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine,
After the entertaining “Booksmart”, Olivia Wild continues her directorial career choosing this time to dive into deeper waters, in terms of the subject and scope of her film. The protagonists here are Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles), a young couple who move into an idyllic gated community somewhere in 1950s California. Like the rest of the residents, Jack works in an experimental, top-secret project, which is implied to be related to national security. At the same time, the women of the community spend their time somewhere between the household and the cocktails they consume lavishly. All this until Alice realizes that something very dark is hiding behind the seemingly flawless community and sets out to bring it to light.
Wilde’s film could also be one of the good episodes of TV’s “Black Mirror” in the way it builds to its inevitable dystopia. The latter is, of course, covered with a terribly sunny, colorful and shiny wrapper that catches the eye from the start. The photography is indeed impressive as are the elaborate sets, vintage clothing and period cars. On the other hand, the continuous camera movement, and from various angles is rather excessive and at times it just looks pretentious. But to return to the issues, it is clear that these initially have to do with the control systems that affluent societies have that they often carefully hide under a surface of abundance. One of them, as we are also talking about the fifties, naturally has to do with the position of women, an issue that you obviously comment on and is emphasized here in every way, at least until the point where the film begins and clearly acquires thriller dimensions. From there on things become more and more predictable for the unsuspecting viewer. Finally, something must be said about the lead duo. The ever-rising Florence Pugh “Midsummer” does very well here as another young woman who finds the courage to literally tear down heaven. On the positive side, the presence of Pop Star Harry Styles, who recalls, handsomely, images of movie stars of the past.
