by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Why is the artistic process so challenging? Probably because it requires you to fully embrace a certain level of commitment. When making a film or directing a live performance, some sacrifices must be made. There is also the challenge of expectations, especially if you are working with someone else’s material. Such a creative endeavor is a collaborative effort; so much can possibly go wrong. That is quite the scenario ripe for drama, and it sets the stage for writer/director Atom Egoyan’s Seven Veils.
You can tell from the opening shot that this is going to be something of artistic merit. The blocking, camera movement, and music all come together to set the tone and deliver a textured and engrossing visual experience. As with a film like TÁR, another film about a creative person, Seven Veils maximizes its lead performance, and cinematographer Paul Sarossy navigates space so well. He presents plenty of impactful and evocative visuals, especially as the film becomes more abstract in its final moments. Mychael Danna’s score matches well with the film’s atmosphere, connecting to the opera elements of the narrative. And Egoyan knows how to set the scene and build tension. This is certainly a drama in genre, but Egoyan is able to cue into an unnerving space with tension, which gives the film a thriller feel.
Amanda Seyfried is the film’s other big strength with her leading role of Jeanine, a theater director. She delivers an impactful performance which explores plenty of complex emotions. Seyfried captures the headspace that Jeanine is in while directing. You feel the pressure on her, as well as some of her timidness in engaging and instructing her performers. David Wharnsby’s impactful editing captures the trauma that Jeanine is processing while directing this piece and, Seyfried’s acting physically embodies that impact.
The rest of the cast delivers as well, with Rebecca Liddiard getting time to shine as a member of the crew. Her whole arc is an interesting — if a bit disconnected — element of the film. The strong ensemble helps bolster the film behind Seyfried’s anchoring performance.
But it’s in Egoyan’s script where the film’s struggles shine through. Seven Veils is certainly artistic from a filmmaking standpoint, and as it gets closer to its final moments, it becomes more abstract. With an image, the ending ties together the film’s thematic ideas, as well as Jeanine’s trauma. The themes get most of their impact from the presentation, and less from the blunt, on-the-nose writing.
The film is also a bit too muddled. Liddiard’s Clea deals with a challenging situation, which represents an important thematic thread, but it’s disconnected from Jeanine’s story, which dominates almost all the rest of the film. Jeanine’s creative process of crafting her opera is quite compelling. The threads of her fracturing marriage, her sick mother, and her dynamics with her friends make for enough variety in the story, without tackling a serious arc for a completely different character. This lack of focus at times is obvious and a tad distracting.
Overall, Egoyan crafts a compelling exploration of the creative process through one director’s journey with a new production of a classic show. There is plenty of drama to tackle, and Egoyan captures a broad perspective on Jeanine’s life around her creative opportunity. Seyfried and the technical filmmaking are real standouts, making Seven Veils quite an experience.
Rating: Liked It
Seven Veils is currently playing in theaters
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