Review of High-Rise (2015) by Azeem H — 19 Feb 2016

High-Rise is a film which will garner critical acclaim, box office acclaim may be a whole other thing. The film is based on JG Ballard's masterpiece novella with the same name.

This film will definitely fall into the camp of those who have read the book and those who haven't. Those who haven't might enjoy it but will wonder what all the fuss is about as there is no real plot as the movie is essentially revolving around Tom Hiddleston's character's view of life in the High-Rise, indeed most of the audience at preview screening that I was attending at the Glasgow Film Festival did indeed clap after the credits rolled.

I was one who had recently read the book for the first time a few years ago, and very much thought it was a really good cautionary tale of capitalism as well as touching on the points of class and social hierarchy.

The film by comparison is well directed, and superbly acted with the largely British based actors committing to the material. Tom Hiddleston is on top form and Luke Evans for once gets to show his acting chops. Sienna Miller is equally engaging while Jeremy Irons, James Purefoy and Keely Hawes all provide ample support.

Unfortunately I thought the film fell flat a bit after the pool party scene which is plucked from the book, then picks up the pace towards the end. I just felt the film lacked that something, may be because I was comparing it to the book.

The film like Star Wars The Force Awakens did not give me the wow factor that I wanted, but then again maybe it was just me, and my expectations.

A special mention to ABBA's S.O.S, as it gets a more low brow outing, while for me it came off a bit cheesy because of the scene it was mainly used for.

While I wasn't overly enamoured by it like I had hoped to be, this was still and solidly made film with moments of real black comedy. It is a cult classic in the making and overall satisfactory adaptation of a great book.