A new feature film written and directed by Emerald Fennell.
A highly anticipated new film, which has visuals and a message that are very unusual and striking. Inspired by the notorious criminal case of Brock Turner, a Stanford student who assaulted an unconscious woman, and was later described as a "Promising Young Man". The film Promising Young Woman tells the story of Cassie, a woman troubled by events during her time at university, and trying to both move forward but also take revenge.
The brain behind this topical film is British actress, producer, writer and now director Emerald Fennell. Known for her acting in Call the Midwife or most recently The Crown (as Camilla Parker-Bowles), she has also been a writer and producer on the hit series Killing Eve. It's great to have a young female writer be able to also direct her first full-length feature film, and getting so much recognition - it certainly isn't the norm (yet). Similar to Greta Gerwig or more recently Olivia Wilde, Emerald Fennell is also at home on and off screen, and shows her talent in this film.
The main attraction of Promising Young Woman is the script, written by Emerald Fennell. Already the trailer makes clear that this is a film about a case of violence against women, in a way that has sadly often been in the news in recent years. (As the trailer doesn't fully show it and some details are only revealed step by step in the film, I will not spoil any of the specifics of the criminal case at the basis of the film.) The unusual element of this film is that it doesn't show the crime, or the legal aftermath. Instead, it shows the effect on the people who were somehow involved in the situation.
The protagonist Cassie has not forgotten what happened at university, and it has altered the course of her life. She spends her time exposing predators, consumed with anger and having dropped out of university after law school. But when a former colleague from these days enters the coffee shop where she works, things start to change on various levels. The films is overall extremely entertaining, but also includes many serious moments that make you think about past cases of assault and harassment, and the injustices and atrocities related to them. The university and legal system are also part of this revenge story, and deservedly so. Besides the content, which is a fresh and courageous take on this topic, the cinematography, costumes and music stand out. All of them are very feminine in an interesting way, contrasting clichés with beauty in unexpected combinations. (Britney Spears and Paris Hilton included...)
The cast of Promising Young Woman is stellar, mainly because of the protagonist played by Carey Mulligan. She is extremely versatile and vulnerable in this role, and shows a very different side of herself. She is supported by great actors such as Connie Britton, Alfred Molina and Laverne Cox, as well a collection of great younger actors such as Alison Brie, Adam Brodie, Max Greenfield, Chris Lowell and Bo Burnham, many of which are rather known from comedies.
A brave film, which deals with a very sensitive and important topic in an unusual way. It navigates the different genres and changes in tone very well, and does not disappoint until the end. It is never predictable, and very well-written. While I'm sure it will receive criticism by some, I believe it can also change some people's minds on the topic.
(Images: IMDB)