Review of High-Rise (2015) by Foxgrove — 12 May 2016

An intriguing and very stylish adaptation of J G Ballard’s book which unfortunately goes off the rails in the chaotic and confused second half. Not having read the novel I have zero idea of how well the film serves it.

Nevertheless, despite much explicit sex and bloody violence the movie doesn’t seem to go far enough in its depiction of class and social breakdown. It stops just short of an audience pleasing retribution for the upper classes who are here generally drawn as the nonchalant villains of the piece.

The high rise itself strikes a menacing image externally, but once inside one loses any sense of geography as to the building’s layout. Its use as a metaphor for the woes of the populace at first instance seems a good one, but in actuality is less inclined towards capitalism, the film’s ultimate message, than it is towards communism.

Ultimately, despite energetic direction and some inspired editing, the messy second half leaves one feeling let down by the promise initiated in the vibrant first hour.