Review of Electrick Children (2012) by Christopher N — 05 Dec 2012

Skating somewhere between a John Hughes coming-of-age drama, and the cult terror of 2011â(TM)s Martha Marcy May Marlene; Electrick Childrenâ(TM)s glossy fantasy never quite makes good on its promising premise, but a thick glaze of candied eye-food picks up some of the slack.

Rachel, a curious, and emphatic teen living with her mormon family on a Utah homestead, becomes convinced of immaculate conception after playing a forbidden tape of 70s rock track â~Hanging on the Telephone.â(TM) Determined to find the man responsible for the tape, Rachel escapes her community and heads out into nearby Las Vegas.

As Rachel traverses Sin Cityâ(TM)s alien lanscape, the film devolves into a series of contrived scenarios, punctuated by lipstick montages; abandoning the cultish foreshadowing, and replacing it with a thin, small-town-girl-in-a-big-city romp. These scenes reveal Thomas as a deft-hand when it comes to creating atmospheric environments, but also highlight her trouble melding two disparate themes. Itâ(TM)s this all-or-nothing approach that ultimately damages the plotâ(TM)s through-line.

Thankfully, a sumptuous, MTV aesthetic keeps things interesting while the film introduces its 21st-century characters. Their aimless essence serves as supporting staves to Julia Garnerâ(TM)s commanding portrayal of naively-determined Rachelâ" introducing her to modernity by way of skateboards and cell phones. Theyâ(TM)re disposable, but thatâ(TM)s all they need to be.

Itâ(TM)s hard to discern whether Rebecca Thomas wanted to comment on the cultishness of Utahâ(TM)s mormon communities. She grew up as part of that culture, and a certain respectfulness birthed only through first-hand experience shows here. But the accusations of incest directed towards Rachelâ(TM)s brother, Mr. Will, are played frigidly; and any leanings towards the dark sides of her homestead seem quickly tossed aside. The noncommittal nature lacks the bite expected of modern films tackling religion, and while thatâ(TM)s kind of refreshing, it makes for a less engaging film. â¨â¨.

If thereâ(TM)s one thing the film nails, itâ(TM)s the use of The Nervesâ(TM) â~Hanging on the Telephone.â(TM) A cut that soundtracks Electrick Children perfectlyâ" with lyrics about pining for action, it accurately evokes the sense of longing felt while waiting for the film to find its footing. A longing that is never fulfilled. OPTIONAL.