Sometimes a film just moves you so much that you need to put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) immediately.
As the credits rolled for 'Last Night in Soho', my two friends and I sat there in silence for the entirety, letting the film sink in and wash over us, glued to our seats, feeling like we'd been holding our breath for the last last 1hr 56 minutes and just stunned by the beautiful film we'd just witnessed.
I always get intoxicated by film. It's one of the reasons why I love cinema. When a film is especially good. A cut about the rest. Particularly emotional. Dramatic. Absorbing. Funny. Beautiful. Those films have me floating out of the auditorium, feeling connected to the characters as if I know them, so absorbed by the story that I feel part of it still. Most importantly, feeling inspired by the amazing filmmaking.
Now home, tea and toast in hand, mulling over what to write, I'm still feeling overwhelmed. I loved this film for many reasons.
It's a beautiful blurring of reality, dreams, time, horror, comedy and music. No spoilers ever from me but it's unexpected too. The performance by Thomasin Mckenzie as Eloise, the country girl coming to the big city to study fashion design, is just stunning. I've previously seen her in 'Jojo Rabbit' and 'Old' which were also great performances. The character has depth and vulnerability, whilst also occasionally showing her inner strength - escaping from the mean girls, for example. Anya Taylor-Joy is enchanting as Sandie, the girl Eloise see's in which first appear to be dreams and Matt Smith is Jack who promises Sandie fame and fortune. Notably it is sadly Diana Rigg's last film. A great performance with a really deep character to delve into and an absolute pleasure to behold.
The soundtrack is a really big part of this film. I've always loved the 60s and hearing these songs woven so beautifully into the fabric of the film is magical. When a track blends so well with a particular scene, the whole performance just flows. This is true throughout the whole film. In one particular scene featuring 'You're my World' by Cilla Black, I found tears streaming down my face. It's one of those songs which always makes me cry anyway but it gelled so well with the scene that it was quite beautiful.
On a personal note I'm a fan of films which feature a 'time' element in any shape or form and this was a particularly interesting take which I really enjoyed. You're never quite sure exactly how she's seeing Sandie but that in itself puts the audience on edge, feeling caught between the enchantment of the 60s vibe and the horror of the unfolding story.
This is a film which had me jumping out of my seat (a few times), laughing, crying, enthralled and absorbed, surprised and unable to move. If I could ever make a film even half this good I would be very happy. Edgar Wright seems to know just the right mix, cast, tone, pace, music, colour (which I haven't even touched on) and how to bring it all together, whilst also trusting your audience (I find this very important in any film). I can't wait to see it again and if you have the opportunity please do go along too.
I think I’m still taking it all in. I was intrigued about seeing this film, not knowing exactly what it was about and I wouldn’t normally go for a horror, as such it was, (certainly won’t be watching the exorcism film trailed before nor probably the bloody Scream reboot🙄). Not seen either of two female leads in anything before but they were brilliant, both well cast I thought. Of course I ‘jumped‘ despite thinking what might be coming (taxis were certainly frequent), fell for the red herring and think I spotted a clue right before the big reveal. I certainly laughed too (‘….South London to North London’) 😆 I’ve always loved Cilla’s ‘You’re My World’ and it just felt so…