We're almost halfway into July; so, it makes sense to watch this movie- right? Actually, in all seriousness, I had NO idea what this movie was about until just yesterday. In fact, there are times when I will watch a movie I have not even seen a preview for just to see what the hype surrounding it is about. And, there was some legitimate hype behind this one in the sense that a number of people had been going in large groups to check it out. So, what did it have to offer the self proclaimed horror freak?
"Midsommar" is loosely based on a group of four male Anthropology classmates who have been planning a trip to Sweden, one of which- Christian- is in a relationship with Dani (played by Florence Pugh who did a magnificent job portraying WWE star "Paige" in "Fighting With My Family"). However, Christian's and Dani's relationship has been teetering on the edge for some time. When Christian decides to invite Dani on the trip and she accepts, the other three classmates have varying levels of trepidation. Nevertheless, the five of them embark on this life-changing trip to a very remote and rural part of Sweden during a locally observed midsummer festival that only occurs once every ninety years.
To truly embrace the culture of this community's people, the group of five and another visiting couple take part in a number of traditions that includes the regular consumption of a hallucinogenic that alters one's senses. From the very first day on, all seven visitors have to decide just how far they are willing to indulge in the rituals of this midsummer festival as well as wrestle with different reasons why to do so or avoid doing so. These traditions are introduced only very loosely by one of the four original Anthropology classmates who has actually lived there most of his life and was only studying abroad in the US- Pelle. And, every visitor has different reasons that ultimately decide the extent to which he/she will take part in the different activities.
The traditions themselves are only truly "understood" or "explained" once the visitors choose to really take part; and, the visual depictions of them were the most satisfying part for me. There are very clear influences writer/director Ari Aster draws from the 1970's mystery "The Wicker Man," in that it includes a visit to a very foreign land with very unique traditions. All in all, the film feels like a massive ethnographic study whose "success" depends on how willing one is to embrace the various traditions espoused by this pagan cult. To see just how these different traditions affect each visitor differently is where the intrigue lies; and, paired with the aforementioned visual depictions thereof, are why this film gets 3 out of 5 reps from me. At a very lengthy 2.5 hours, the film does have its lulls and probably does not have to be seen in theaters to get the full effect. Think... a very less gory "The Green Inferno" and much less gory "Hostel." As I mentioned before, the film works mostly to depict the traditions of a very small pagan cult that has its origins very firmly based in historical pagan scripture. It is a reminder that there are peoples existing outside of the "western world" with what others would deem a "weird" lifestyle; but, then again- that's all in the eye of the beholder.
So, have you taken a trip to experience Midsommar yet? If not, what are you afraid of?!
No comments:
Post a Comment