blimey, a fifth (5th) cinema trip it was this year, then. that is, i think, more times than what i have been to the cinema in the last five, possibly ten years, look you see. all down, i guess, to the convenience of being able to walk to one. that and the price being agreeable.
in this instance i went to see, as i think i alluded to hoping to when seeing the trailer before Alien Romulus, one called The Substance. much like that film i feared that i might have missed the opportunity to see it at a cinema, but also merrily such fear was incorrect.
for those in both a rush and keen to avoid 'spoilers', i am delighted to say overall it's a really, really good film, if not for the squeamish. the unusual pacing makes it feel needlessly long in all the wrong places, but overall worth the investment of your time. not really sure if all them awards, like the Oscars, are actually still valid, but if they are i would expect Demi Moore to be a very serious contender for recognition. horror films have not done that well with awards, at least not since the magnificence of the silence of the lambs demanded recognition, but she truly is breathtakingly brilliant here.
a splendid *** SPOILER WARNING *** is now in place for the remainder of this post. not just for details of the film but also there's the obligatory, needless and indulgent selfie at the end.
plot? essentially (or effectively) a spin on Wilde's The Picture Of Dorain Gray, but with an obviously modern setting and of course a rather more hetero slant than that particular writer would have considered. in the film, acclaimed actress and tv celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is greeted on her 50th birthday with news that her tv show has been cancelled, with that information being delivered by the sleazy producer (a very much on form Dennis Quaid). after a mishap (which is some brilliant shock cinema) she is offered the chance to try "The Substance", a mysterious process which allows her to "be" a better, younger self on a seven day cycle. she gives it a go, and does indeed give birth (ahem) to Sue (Margaret Qualley), with them being under strict instructions to switch roles (as it were) every seven days.......
you can probably guess how that switching goes. well, if it was all smooth and as planned then there would not be much of a story, would there?
to answer the question anyone would have of me of any film i watched, mindful of my main interests in selecting a film, oh goodness me yes, there's lots of nudies here. more than i was expecting, really. this was very welcome indeed, but not the only reason i was taken with the film. as i mentioned before, Demi Moore is exceptional here. essentially, or at heart, this is a "shock gore" film, but with superbly written parts which are, on the whole, performed superbly.
flaws in the film? pacing, really. it runs for somewhere north of two hours and it really, really has no need to in terms of the material. in no way am i inclined to say i somehow "know" better than those who make films, but at times it does feel like certain aspects of the story are needlessly drawn out, and then you get some bits that are fascinating yet feel weirdly rushed and condensed. dear me, writing that gives me the sense that i might be writing an actual, proper review.
going into the film knowing nothing other than the trailer made it look f*****g scary (which it was) meant i knew nothing of the development or making. it was with some sadness, then, that after seeing it i learned that Ray Liotta was originally to play the Dennis Quaid character. Quaid is outstanding and delivers an amazing performance, it's just sad to be reminded that another great is no longer with us.
just to be clear, when i say gory i really mean gory. no, not (so much) the selfie above, but the film itself, The Substance. at times i was inclined to momentarily look away, to be honest. but of course soon returned focus. i was not alone in the cinema taking this approach. perhaps i am finally getting too old for such things, but then again isn't it lovely after all these years of watching gratuitous depravity they can still make films which make me squeamish.
seeing an unexpected number of films released this year shall make it a bit of a challenge when i come to determining which was "best". i suspect, up to now, Civil War remains at the top, but this would be a very close second. yes, mostly (to say it once again) for just how extraordinary a performance Demi Moore delivers in the film.
do i have plans for yet more cinema visits? oddly the trailer for a new one with Hugh Grant, i think it's called Heretic, looked quite class if a little contrived. if chance permits, i shall go see it. and oh, by the way, indeed it was that rather good Ealing Project cinema where i went and saw this one.
be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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