Although Maxine has no character arc, Goth finds intriguing textures in this ambitious young woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to become a star. She finds nuance in various scenes, particularly with the magnetic Debicki. Other characters are designed to be cartoonish, so the actors have a lot of fun. Bacon is particularly amusing as a riotous loose-cannon who seems oblivious to his own mortality. And Esposito is hilariously full-on as the mafioso-style entertainment lawyer.

West assembles this with attention on stylised visuals rather than the story, so it looks fantastic even if it never quite resonates or satisfies. Fanatical Christianity is depicted throughout the movie as little more than a joke in a father-daughter power struggle. And other pastiche elements are similarly superficial, silly rather than pointed as they poke fun at what, in this case, is literally a cut-throat industry. Thankfully, there's also a glimmer of subtext in the idea that stardom is something supernatural.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

1.Jul.24

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