Promising Young Woman

With COVID still ravaging movie theaters and messing with the release schedules of smaller movies, such as Promising Young Woman, this is officially my first review of 2021 for a "technically" 2020 movie. 

2021 or 2020 doesn't really matter because either way, Promising Young Woman is going to be in the Rath Awards (for 2021, to be clear).

I've been looking forward to this for a while now, mostly from positive buzz, some slick trailers, and the fact that Carey Mulligan is in the lead. Finally, it came to PVOD in the last couple days so after a work week that kicked my a**, I was looking forward to sitting down with a hopefully-good movie. 

Promising Young Woman isn't just a "good" movie, it's an incredible one. A film that feels so in tune with itself that it's actually a bit preposterous how effortlessly it all gels and moves from one scene to the next. Perhaps because I wanted to make the connection subconsciously in my head, but this felt like Carey Mulligan's turn at being the lead in Drive, another film that has such a distinct style and vibe that it's hard to not get totally sucked in. 

And it's films like this that make me so sad about COVID otherwise. Carey Mulligan - at least to mainstream viewers - isn't a powerhouse name, or at least I don't perceive she is, but she deserves to be and this directorial debut from Emerald Fennell deserves to be seen and paid for as one of those great, unique Hollywood films that are truly taking the bulk of the brunt from COVID. I miss my Marvel films more than anyone, but Disney/Marvel will be just fine. Other parts of this industry? That remains to be seen. 

Promising Young Woman hits on the very timely issue of women being taken advantage of, "nice guys" who aren't so nice, rape, etc. It's still - and likely always - going to be a pertinent topic and just the other day I saw another news article of a college male going to court for taking advantage of a blacked-out, passed-out girl at a party. "Being accused like that...it's every guy's worst nightmare!" screams a man chained up to a bed at one point. With a subtly angry face, Carey Mulligan's Cassie replies "Do you know what every woman's worst nightmare is?" The interesting component to Promising Young Woman is that both characters here are speaking truth, though the film makes it very clear there's no grey area for the past crimes or current offenders that Cassie lures. These are all guys who are "nice", but take advantage of the situations when no one else is looking. Our first glimpses at this are with Cassie playing a very convincing drunk until just the right moment, and then speaking stone-cold sober to the male, are fun and intense to watch, unsure of what she actually does to her "victims". Even better? One of those first victims is McLovin (the actor, not the actual character), creating some sort of Superbad universe where he gets what's been coming to him.

Careful how you go indeed...

Why does this scene work so well?!?

Cassie is a mix between Batman and the Joker. Cold, measured and a "vigilante" for woman. She's on a very clear mission, going out every night to make her point known to men across the city. As the film ramps up and she begins executing her master plan, I got shades of "let's introduce a little anarchy" from a certain villain, her often sitting there, reveling in the anguish she's caused. It's an immediately compelling character made borderline-iconic by Carey Mulligan. Now, I should confess that there's something about Carey Mulligan that makes me just get lost in her characters. Perhaps it's a crush? I'm not sure but from Drive, to The Great Gatsby, to now Promising Young Woman - I find that she's one of the most effective leading ladies in Hollywood. She's a talented actress, but also able to convey so much with just her facial expressions and seeing her in this dominating role where she commands the screen is both fun and exciting. 

The remainder of the cast, including Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, and Laverne Cox, are all great compliments to Cassie. Burnham and Mulligan in particular have wonderful chemistry as the man she actually lets her guard down with and their banter back and forth offers some delightful humor in a film with heavy subject matter. These tone shifts are handled with expertise and this never feels like a film that takes itself darkly serious and is willing to have some fun. A large reason for that is the confident style. As the kids say, this film is a "vibe" and I was pulled in big time. Drenched with pinks, cute outfits, and pop music, it's a revenge film wrapped in candy. The music in particular - much like in Drive - adds so much fun to the proceedings. Whether it's an eerie rendition of Britney Spears' Toxic, Charli XCX's Boys, a well timed use of It's Raining Men, or Paris Hilton's only hit, Stars are Blind...the use of music here is borderline genius, tons of fun, and effective. I mean for f**k's sake, one of my favorite scenes in a long time uses the aforementioned Paris Hilton song. What?!?

What happens next, you won't expect...

The style also owes a lot to the talent behind the camera. There's some striking cinematography here, again echoing elements of the Joker in The Dark Knight, and the editing and pace are spot on. Eventually we get to where the film introduces various acts with pink roman numerals and each of these builds upon the other, crafting a satisfying tale after an epilogue that hooks you in. It all leads to an ending that will likely have people talking and forming their own opinions. Do I think it was the best ending they could have chose? I'm actually not sure because it caught me off guard (refraining from spoilers here) but I know that some will be pissed. Perhaps it tries too hard to subvert expectations, but at the same time I see how we got there. 

Unless 2021 is one of the better movie years in history, Promising Young Woman...ahem...promises to be one of my favorite films of the year. It may have to wait another 365 days to be included in the Rath Awards thanks to COVID, but that shouldn't deter you from seeking this one out now. It's one of those rare films that's so damn sure of what it is that it absolutely sings. 

CONS

• The ending won't please everyone. I think there may be a better one out there, but it might come down to the person
• The "acts" premise introduction was a bit disorienting
• I'm not sure the parents were necessary characters and there's some oddities about them where the reasoning isn't clear

PROS

• It has a vibe, style, whatever-you-want-to-call it that pulses with every scene. This film knows exactly what it's doing
• Carey Mulligan is one of the most subtly effective leading ladies in Hollywood right now. This is a tour de force performance from her that's different and exciting
• Wonderful first time direction from Emerald Fennell who's knocked it out of the park on her first try
• Strong writing and side characters, with Bo Burnham providing a cute and convincing love interest
• Funnier than you may expect due some wonderful banter
• Use of music is outstanding, one of my favorite elements
• Often memorable cinematography and the pacing/editing is spot-on
• A unique film with a woman vigilante that puts its hooks in you and doesn't let up

Rath's Review Score | 9.5/10