Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn’ combines clever writing, shock value, and great performances but lacks a clear message and heart.
Emerald Fennell’s Latest Film
Emerald Fennell, known for ‘Promising Young Woman,’ presents her new film ‘Saltburn’ which displays enticing elements but falls short in delivering a clear message and emotional depth.
The Storyline and Characters
The film introduces Oliver Quick, a freshman at Oxford, who forms an unlikely friendship with aristocratic golden boy Felix. As Oliver gets involved with Felix’s family at Saltburn, the storyline takes increasingly sinister twists.
Rich Production Values
Fennell excels in presenting the imposing, seductive, and debauched setting of Saltburn, an English country manor, amidst a story of class dynamics. The film’s lush production values are captivating.
Shock Value and Beauty
The film balances shock value with beauty, as it ventures into Fennell-level craziness early on. The director’s comfort with the world she paints and the vividly rendered Oxford scenes add authenticity to the storytelling.
Cinematic Experience
With a rating of R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language, disturbing violent content, and drug use, ‘Saltburn’ offers a two-hour, 127-minute cinematic experience that leaves viewers with mixed feelings.