Review of Savage Grace (2007) by Wally Z — 24 Jun 2008

I can't say I wasn't warned. A friend of mine who is no wallflower told me this film shocked her deeply. And as I was reading the review outside the theater, a stranger voiced her own opinion regarding this film: Disgusting! And I was vaguely familiar with the tabloid story of the heir to the Bakelite fortune and the dysfunctional relationship.

Having said that, I was mesmerized by this strange subculture of wealthy weirdos. As I suspected, Julianne Moore nails the part of the misguided mother. She makes you care about this whirling dervish of a parent.

But it is the young actor who plays her odd offspring who steals the show. If you are easily shocked, I don't recommend catching this flick. But if you have a fascination with the lifestyles of the deeply disturbed, this one's for you.

I don't know what it says about me, but I enjoyed the perverse pleasure of their wicked company. But this is not your typical biopic. The pace is leisurely and the script is heavily stylized. I was also saddened by the fact that the uptown engagement was cut short to make room for Love Guru.

Now that is really sick!