HIGH-RISE (2015)

5/17/16 - High-Rise (2015) - 4+/10

This is a great idea of a film (probably worked wonderfully as a novel), but it got too wrapped up in itself, losing focus and spiraling out of control. The performances are appreciated and the concepts tantalizing, but the film just didn't work for me.

Too much decadence and chaos not only in tone but in the filmmaking itself. I understand it's all based on metaphor but the structure collapsed without connective material or a steady focus. It's an insane melange of quick-witted ideas and psychedelic nonsense. What is one to make of all of this? Ends up as an unnecessary mess, devolving from social introspection to a jumbled kaleidoscope of debauchery and misery.

Became cumbersome to put forth the effort of making a coherent narrative cinema experience rather than an expressionistic pseudo sci-fi diatribe on rampant politics of 70s England jacked up to insanity. Though I wanted to like it, that flat was many levels too high for me and not worth the dog eating, rape indulgent, trash orgies needed to get there.

Side note: Sweet and creepy SOS cover. Doesn't fit, but cool nonetheless.