Review of Wildlife (2018) by Leonvitali — 04 Nov 2021

After terrorizing viewers with "Prisoners", impersonating.

As childish as maniacal Alex Jones, having exemplified racism the most.

Perverse in "12 Years a Slave", in the character of John Tibeats, and being.

Was one of the most mysterious guys in independent cinema in “Little.

Miss Sunshine ”, Paul Dano returns to cinema, this time behind the.

Camera, presenting this 2018 film, “Wildlife,” at Sundance.

Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film.

Festival.

We are faced with a film that transports us in the most intimate way.

Possible within the Brinson family, consisting of his father, Jerry (per.

The nostalgic Donnie Darko), his wife Jeanette (we remember her above all.

For Michael Fassbender's disturbed sister in Steve's “Shame”.

McQueen), and little son Joe, aka Ed Oxenbould (remember his.

First appearance in Shyamalan's found footage film, “The Visit”).

We are in Montana, around the 60s: it will be the dismissal of the father.

Of Jerry family, which will lead to a series of events culminating with true and.

Own tragedy, which will disguise itself in the final desperate smiles of the characters.

Carey Mulligan plays a character perfectly initially.

So strong but subsequently unstable, that it will be subject to a.

Backward path towards immaturity, to cope psychologically.

The temporary abandonment of her husband from the family home.

Jake Gyllehnall always amazes: with his schizophrenic eyes from father in.

Prey to the blackest crisis and protagonist of the collapse of the American dream, sino.

To the senseless laughter, a further symptom of the crisis, portraying.

Perfectly the average American, who feels emptied of all values, a.

A bit like Leonardo Di Caprio in Sam's “Revolutionary Road”.

Mendes.

Ed Oxenbould is capable: he acts without going over the top; a launch of.

Career that from Shyamalan continues to this day, but which he has not yet found.

His truly memorable role.

The direction is very good, clean and very promising for the debut:

Very appreciated the measured use of panning, intimate and provocative, and capable.

Also this precise focus on the faces of the actors, which leads to.

Physically and conceptually blur the landscape on their back: in.

Various scenes the latter is almost the real protagonist, which.

It unites, in the case of the family home, and divides the characters, as in.

Case of the burning forest.

The soundtrack, albeit timid, also proves capable and.

Engaging, intimate and graceful.

So Paul Dano, winking at Mike Leigh's "Secrets and Lies".

(Palme d'Or 1996 and Best Actress to Brenda Blethyn, also in Cannes),.

Gives us a sentimental portrait of a family in complete disintegration:

The last shot then, which when viewed with an open heart, gives chills.

Pure, culminating with the countdown of the little son, who desperate,.

Tries to block the moment of brief joy and family conjunction: they.

They observe in the car, the viewer looks back, and the catharsis.

Happens in the most satisfactory way possible.