No. 39 (2023) INFINITY POOL 2023. May 23rd.

 

Film No. 39  (2023)  May 23rd.  12:10 PM PALACE Raine Sq, Plat Cinema 4, Perth City.

"But for a significant sum ... we'll build a double to stand in for your execution." (After his arrest, a stunned James has what his future could be, explained to him.)

SUBMITTED: (Brandon Cronenberg), Berlin, Istanbul and Sundance Film Festivals.

 

Once a Cronenberg, always a Cronenberg is a sweeping and very disrespectful summation of Brandon Cronenberg's INFINITY POOL. Sure Brandon is the son of David and there are similarities in style between the films they've made, but they each have something different to say, which is a bonus. Our international cinematic landscape is further enriched, no doubt. 

Did I like INFINITY POOL? No, not really. but it held me transfixed for two hours. Mia Goth as Gabi weaves most of the metaphoric strings and ropes around her audience making sure we sat and absorbed the abysmal behaviour that represents why the entitled of the human race needed to be critically analysed and ultimately detested. Alexander Skarsgard's, James, is our vehicle here as Goth drives him, first to attraction, then to diabolical distraction.

Cronenberg first asks "What if the entitled could holiday in a paradise (a third world corrupt paradise) behave as deplorably as they choose, then get away with it ?". Then finally, "Who gets left in the wake of such mayhem, and who cares?" He's not seeking answers. He's simply, in very complicated, high concept terms, making observations.    

See, there is no liking INFINITY POOL. It's not a film to be liked, but it's a film to be taken seriously. Cronenberg presents the notion that compassion and care hold no currency here. The captivating performances of Goth and Skarsgard grip us. Brandon has a good eye for gripping us emotionally. Goth has taken cinema to new dimensions of horror via her genius (X, PEARL). As an actor her angelic looks lead us in a direction we know we shouldn't be headed; but we can't wait to see what happens. Her final scene and exit here are really unnerving.  8GUMS.