Academy Award-winning writer and director, Emerald Fennel takes a huge swing with “Saltburn,” an opulent take down of the upper class that is bound to be one of the more polarizing films of the year.
The film introduces us to Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a quiet outsider struggling to fit in at Oxford. Oliver is quickly drawn to his charming classmate, Felix (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to spend the summer with his wealthy and eccentric family at their massive estate, “Saltburn.” And without spoiling anything, it becomes a summer Oliver will never forget.
And you certainly will not be able to forget about “Saltburn” that easily.
What I love most about Fennell’s storytelling is how unapologetic and ambitious it is. She is not afraid to shock you, show you the truth and does it all with STYLE. That is a lot of what made her debut film, “Promising Young Woman” such a success as well as one of my favorite films.
However, Fennell spends most of “Saltburn” focusing on shocking her audience with a severely slow burn instead of creating the “eat the rich” satire she aspired to share.
And by weaving a web of bewildering moments that will cause the audience to audibly gasp, Fennell has sacrificed the most important part of any story — her characters. Although the performances are compelling, the characters are all paper thin. Who are they really underneath the surface? We are left with more questions than answers.
But even though “Saltburn” does not fully stick the landing, it is sure a wildly entertaining time.
Beautifully shot across the picturesque countryside of England, the dreamy aesthetic and lavish lifestyle of Felix’s family seduces you almost instantly into “Saltburn.” The writing is clever, with Fennell’s signature wit at the center of every devilish zinger.
With Barry Keoghan at the helm in one of his most formidable performances to date, the ensemble is nothing short of impressive. From Jacob Elordi’s effortless charisma to scene stealer Rosamund Pike, each actor delivers their character’s own delicious debauchery on a platter.
And man. Do we eat in “Saltburn.”
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