by Shane Conto
Who doesn’t love a film that will challenge your respect for people? A great film can spark some intense conversations about deep-seated and relatable films. Certain films can even challenge your perception of the world. What really makes a man a nice guy? What should society do when a claim of rape comes in from horrible drunken night? Where is the line between giving someone the benefit of the doubt and trusting the words of a victim? What if one film took on all of these ideas and challenged its audience to confront these questions? You all are in luck! Enter…Promising Young Woman.
Who can take on such an ambitious undertaking?
Emerald Fennell…that’s who! Fennell makes her feature directorial debut with Promising Young Woman after time as a writer on Killing Eve and a steady career of supporting roles as an actor. Fennell had a tough task taking on such charged themes during a time of cancellations and #metoo movement. She takes this undertaking in a sharply dark and humorous direction. Promising Young Woman is a darkly funny…I mean DARKLY funny…film. I was a little surprised at some of the moments that I laughed at. The film is also packed full of energy with such electricity that I was never bored during the almost 2-hour runtime. Fennell is able to balance the (piranha sharp) biting commentary while deliver some impressive tension and suspense. The climax of the film has the director’s skills on display as it will put you on the edge of your seat for every moment. Then you have the music. The musical choices are ambitious and work so well. The final scene would not have been anywhere near as impactful without the outside-the-box musical choice.
Fennell certainly handles the direction of the film very well but what about her script?
The script DELIVERS. The dialogue is layered and really supports the themes the film is portraying. The story is surprising and will shock you. The third act of this film will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the tension builds and puts you on edge. I do admit there is a stretch towards the middle of the film that falls into some romantic comedy cliches and just doesn’t rise to the level of the rest of the film. Sure, there are some full choices that make that section a little more unique but still doesn’t reach the heights of the rest of the film. This film does a great job at challenging the audience with the actions of our protagonist, Cassandra. Does she go too far? Does she become the evil she wants revenge against? Can she ever overcome the guilt of what happened? Cassandra is so compelling that you are there with her every step of the way.
With a complex and challenging character like Cassandra, who can bring her to life?
Carey Mulligan surely does not disappoint. Mulligan is an extremely talented and underappreciated actor and she proves without a shadow of doubt that she is a force. This film would certainly not work without the intense and raw performance that she puts forth. If Mulligan is not an awards contender, it would be a travesty. The men that fill out this cast of potential revenge victims is vast…and I mean VAST. How did they get so many talented young actors to be in this film? Alfred Molina and Clancy Brown even deliver small but memorable turns in the film. Molina is a broken and shattered lawyer from Cassandra’s past. Brown is the endearing and proud father to Mulligan’s Cassandra. Even Bo Burnham has time to shine especially with one intense exchange with Mulligan after their love affair sours. This ensemble is impressive and brings this film to life.
But is the discomfort that this challenging film creates worth the investment?
YES. Do I need to explain more? Well, Fennell proves her worth as a writer-director to watch moving forward. Mulligan gives a standout and career-best performance. This film will take you for quite the ride as it burrows its themes deep into your brain. Combine the effortlessly ambitious tone, great musical choices, impeccably shot sequences, and dark humor and you have one of the fall season’s best films.
Grade: A-