Below are my movie reviews for the week of January 14-20th. Just as a heads up, I watched 5 movies this week, so this will be a lengthy post!
Movie: Don’t Worry Darling Directed by Olivia Wilde and Screenplay by Katie Silberman
Summary:
Don’t Worry Darling is a psychological thriller film directed by Olivia Wilde. The story is set in an idyllic company town in what appears to be California during the 1950s. It follows a housewife named Alice, played by Florence Pugh, who starts to unravel disturbing secrets about her seemingly perfect husband, played by Harry Styles. As Alice digs deeper into the mystery, she discovers a dark conspiracy that challenges her perception of reality. The film explores themes of deception, control, and the societal expectations placed on women. With a suspenseful and mysterious plot, Don’t Worry Darling keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the protagonist navigates through a web of intrigue and danger.
Summary written by ChatGPT when prompted “Summarize the movie ‘Don’t Worry Darling’”
My Thoughts:
WARNING: This review will contain spoilers of Don’t Worry Darling and The Stepford Wives.
There was a lot of discourse surrounding Don’t Worry Darling even before it came out. Some of it didn’t even have anything to do with the movie itself, but more with the drama surrounding the cast. I don’t really want to get into all of that, and at this point it’s probably irrelevant and the internet has moved on. But if you’re interested, I’m sure you can find many articles or YouTube videos that explain the drama. Anyway…
When I was a teenager, I was fully convinced that I was going to marry my middle school/high school sweetheart. We were going to get married young and I was going to be a stay-at-home mom. Basically, I wanted to be a “tradwife.” From the time I was 13 to about 18 years old, I was heavily influenced by my boyfriend and my then best friend’s Christian evangelical beliefs. That relationship ended shortly before I turned 19. I also discovered feminism around that time while I was in college (obviously).
Before I move on, I just want to say that I don’t feel any resentment toward my ex. In fact, I’m really happy for him, I wish him all the best in life, and I often wish we could still be friends. With that out of the way…
The reason I wanted to share some of my history is because Don’t Worry Darling really struck a chord with me, and if you watch the movie you might understand why. Many people have criticized this movie, and I want to defend it a little bit. Some say that it drags on, that it could’ve just been another episode of Black Mirror, that it’s copying The Matrix, or that it’s a worse version of The Stepford Wives with nothing new to say. I do agree with some of the criticism. For instance, the movie brings up several things, but then it seems to forget about them (e.g. the crashing airplane and the earthquakes). I had not yet seen The Stepford Wives when I watched this movie, and so I had nothing to compare it to. I have now seen both versions of The Stepford Wives (yes, even the 2004 version), and I still think that Don’t Worry Darling has something to say.
While similar films, like The Stepford Wives and Get Out take the protagonist and the viewer into a world of horror, Don’t Worry Darling puts you right in the middle of the horror. You could maybe even think of Don’t Worry Darling as a continuation of The Stepford Wives. At the end of The Stepford Wives (1975), the protagonist is turned into a docile robot whose sole purpose is to please her husband and take care of the home. Don’t Worry Darling instead begins with Alice already being a “robot.” Alice is happy, and everything is seemingly perfect on the surface. In fact, my teenage self would have loved to have been in Alice’s position. Then again, who wouldn’t be happy to be in Alice’s shoes when your husband is literally Harry Styles.
Alice’s world slowly begins to unravel. Ultimately, she discovers that she is forcibly being kept in a simulation by Jack, her boyfriend. In flashbacks, we learn that in the “real world,” Alice was a surgeon while Jack was unemployed and felt emasculated due to not being able to provide for his partner. It seems that Jack spent a lot of time on the internet, and he falls down the rabbit hole of the manosphere. He ends up applying to the “Victory” project, which is led by Frank, a charismatic Jordan Peterson-like character. The Victory project consists of men choosing a woman, drugging her, and keeping her in a simulation in a coma-like state. The men must still remain in the real world and maintain a job in order to pay not only for their membership to the Victory project, but also for their other life expenses. They can only spend their free time in the simulation. We also learn that while most women are being kept in the simulation against their will, there are some women, like Bunny (played by Olivia Wilde), who willingly choose to live in the simulation.
I think this movie shows what it feels like to awaken from indoctrination or maybe even abuse. I think people who have experienced religious trauma, or have been in a cult, or who were just raised to believe something that is not true might resonate with this movie. Becoming aware of the truth is uncomfortable, painful even. It’s horrific to realize that everything you knew as true, right, good, or normal is really the complete opposite. It’s also shocking to realize that the people you love are not trustworthy and they might not have your best interest in mind after all. In short, you experience a paradigm shift.
There is a line that is repeated throughout Don’t Worry Darling: “We crave order.” It might be comforting to believe that there is a prescribed way to be a woman or to be a man. At least for me, as a teenager who was feeling anxious about the future and about forming her own identity, it was comforting to be told “this is what the Bible says about being a woman.” It seemed so easy to plan the rest of my life based on these traditional ideas about womanhood and to attach myself to another person and his ambitions. Now I know that that version of womanhood might have been enjoyable at first, but it ultimately would have been a limiting existence for me. Don’t get me wrong though. I do believe in choice feminism, and I do not look down on other women who choose to be homemakers or stay-at-home mothers. I just don’t agree when certain groups of people preach that this is the way that all woman should be.
Again, Don’t Worry Darling is not a masterpiece, but appreciate that it sparked my thinking and that it can lead to interesting discussions.
My Rating:
Movie: The Stepford Wives (2004) Directed by Frank Oz and Screenplay by Paul Rudnick
Summary:
The Stepford Wives is a 2004 satirical black comedy film directed by Frank Oz, based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Ira Levin. The story revolves around Joanna Eberhart (played by Nicole Kidman), who moves with her husband (played by Matthew Broderick) and children to the seemingly perfect suburban town of Stepford. As Joanna befriends a a gay man and another woman in the town, she discovers that the wives are unusually submissive and robotic. Suspecting a sinister conspiracy, she investigates the true nature of Stepford and its male residents. The film explores themes of conformity, gender roles, and the dangers of seeking an idealized perfection in suburban life.
Summary written by ChatGPT when prompted “Summarize the 2004 movie ‘The Stepford Wives’”
My Thoughts:
WARNING: This review will contain spoilers.
I only watched this 2004 version of The Stepford Wives because I initially didn’t realize that there was another, better version (the 1975 version). This movie is kind of cringe, maybe it’s trying to be campy, but overall it’s not great. This movie completely changes the original ending of both the book of the same name and of the 1975 version. Basically, this version has a “happy ending” where Joanna’s husband decides not to turn her into a robot and they rescue the other wives. I guess it’s a fine ending if what you’re trying to say is “Not all men are bad” or that they can be redeemed. This film also has a twist villain, which really doesn’t make much sense. Surprise, a woman was behind the whole “turning women into robots” scheme!
I think mainly what I didn’t love about this movie is the way in which it portrays Joanna. The movie starts with her being fired from her job as a successful TV executive. She takes her husband for granted, and she’s basically just portrayed as a callous b-word. It feels like the movie just wants to punish Joanna. Anyway, I just don’t understand why the story was so drastically changed, or what film is ultimately trying to say.
My Rating:
Movie: The Stepford Wives (1975) Directed by Bryan Forbes and Screenplay by William Goldman
Summary:
The Stepford Wives is a 1975 science fiction horror film directed by Bryan Forbes, based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Ira Levin. The story follows Joanna Eberhart (played by Katharine Ross) and her husband Walter (played by Peter Masterson), who move to the idyllic town of Stepford. Joanna soon discovers that the women in Stepford are unusually submissive and robotic, conforming to traditional gender roles. As she investigates, she uncovers a disturbing conspiracy involving the transformation of the town’s women into perfect, obedient wives. The film explores themes of feminism, societal expectations, and the dark side of conformity in suburban life.
Summary written by ChatGPT when prompted “Summarize the 1975 movie ‘The Stepford Wives’”
My Thoughts:
WARNING: This review will contain spoilers.
First of all, I’m obsessed with the 70s fashion in this movie. I love Katherine Ross’ outfits:
This movie is great. You really feel for Joanna and experience all the uneasiness and anxiety along with her. Unfortunately, Joanna is not so lucky at the end of this film. She ends up just the same as the other women in Stepford. This film is even more tragic and horrific because you’re left to wonder what will happen to Joanna’s two young daughters. The film leaves no room for hope and even closes with a shot of the new black couple in town. We are left to assume that the woman in this couple will become Stepford’s next victim.
The 2004 version seems to want to punish Joanna for being a masculine, “boss b*tch,” but this 1975 film doesn’t really give a reason for Joanna’s husband’s cruelty in wanting to rob his wife of her identity. Maybe this film is a commentary on how women are sometimes expected to give up their own selves when they marry or when they have children. Joanna aspires to be remembered as a photographer, but she is ultimately reduced to simply being a wife and mother. Again, there’s nothing wrong with being a wife or mother, and to proud of these roles in life, but I think it’s safe to say that we all want to have our own identities outside of our relationships with our loved ones.
My Rating:
Movie: Mean Girls (2024) Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. and Screenplay by Tina Fey
Summary:
Mean Girl is a 2024 teen musical comedy film directed directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. and written by Tina Fey. The story revolves around Cady Heron (played by Angourie Rice), a teenage girl who has been homeschooled in Africa and then enters a public high school in the United States. As Cady navigates the social hierarchy of high school, she becomes entangled with a popular clique known as “The Plastics,” led by Regina George (played by Reneé Rapp). The film humorously explores the dynamics of teenage friendships, the consequences of gossip and betrayal, and the challenges of fitting into high school society. The original 2004 Mean Girls movie has become a cultural phenomenon and is known for its witty dialogue and satirical take on the teenage experience.
Summary written with the help of ChatGPT when prompted “Summarize the movie ‘Mean Girls’”
My Thoughts:
I went to see this movie with some of my girlfriends over the weekend. I still can’t believe it’s already been 20 years since the original 2004 Mean Girls came out! I’m usually weary of remakes, but I think both movies are great! This version definitely differs from the original, being a musical and all.
Speaking of which, I recommend watching the videos below if you want to hear some of the conversations around how Hollywood seems to be trying to hide the fact that movies are musicals in their advertisements:
I do recommend this movie. It’s fun, and if you’re ok with musicals, then I think you’ll have a great time watching this movie too!
My Rating:
Movie: Leo (2023) Directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, and David Wachtenheim
Written by Robert Smigel, Adam Sandler, and Paul Sado
Summary:
Leo is a 2023 animated musical comedy film directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel and David Wachtenheim. It is written by Smigel, Adam Sandler, and Paul Sado. The film tells the story of Leo, a tuatara who has been living in the same elementary school classroom for the past 74 years. Leo longs for the wild and worried about dying who is taken home by different students per the assignment of a strict substitute teacher, but gets himself caught up in the troubles of each student, and offers great advice to each of them.
Summary paraphrased from Wikipedia.
My Thoughts:
My parents recommended this movie to me. While I think it’s sweet, and well-meaning, I was sadly a bit bored by it. I did also watch it with a 5 year-old, and she too didn’t find the film very engaging. I think what it is is that there’s just too much talking. I know the point of the story is that this talking tuatara is giving wise advice to children, but I don’t think being talked at is the most effective way to convey messages in film, especially with a film whose target audience is children. The film just feels too didactic, especially with songs with lyrics that are very on the nose.
I guess one thing I do appreciate about this film is that Leo can be seen as an example for children and parents of how to have conversations with one another. Leo helps the children feel heard and understood. The way Leo talks to the children can be a good model for parents to follow.
Ultimately, the problem might be me, and I could also just be biased. I’ve never been a huge fan of Adam Sandler, so maybe that’s clouding my judgement. Anyway, sorry mom and dad! This movie was cute, but it just wasn’t for me!
My Rating:
References
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (Jan 21 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, January 17). Leo (2023 American film). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_(2023_American_film)
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