Review of Vox Lux (2018) by Jonathan B — 06 Jan 2019

Let's get something straight: There's nothing wrong with this movie. Reviews are low because the GP wanted/expected something predictable, lightweight and easy to digest like A Star Is Born, and when they didn't get it they rushed to the internet to complain.

I'm not usually one to appreciate art, but this film is ART, and just like all the best works of art, it's poorly received upon release and will later go on to become a beloved classic. There are countless little things I noticed just in one viewing that make it golden, like the parallels between the boy at the beginning and Celeste at the end (even the thing with the eyes!) or how young Celeste and her daughter are played by the same person.

There are also the big things, like the way the movie just ends without a resolution-- because this is a portrait of 21st century life, not a fantasy. Then there's the music, which is perfectly made to capture the right tone and even convey messages, like the vapid and simple nature of both pop music and 'anthems' that the public rallies around.

Hats off to the director for making such a refreshingly different and thought-provoking, hyper realistic film.