Oscar nominee Florence Pugh and pop superstar Harry Styles star in 'Don't Worry Darling' - a movie directed by Olivia Wilde, who also appears in the movie.
This is another version of the Stepford Wives tale set in a Mad Men-esque universe where the men and women dress up in exquisite 50s fashion and where the world is orderly and everyone is in their right places - men at work, women taking care of the home and kids.
This is the backdrop of this tale and it is not difficult to sense that not everything is A-ok in Barbieland. For in the real world, how can anything be so perfect?
Anyhow, that is all the excitement the movie offers as Florence Pugh's character becomes adventurous and more inquisitive. I suggest you drive yourself to a theater near you - it is still showing in Manila - and find out how this tale spins out of control.
Florence Pugh is in control of her role - showing vulnerability and curiosity at the right amounts. She is not just one dumb blonde, as she senses something is afoot in this world created by Chris Pine's character.
Harry Styles, I should say, is cast perfectly here because all he has to do is look pretty and neat - and when that is what he has to do, you forget he's Harry Styles. However, once he does have to do some heavy lifting - like act - well, it would be a good suggestion if he takes more acting classes so that he won't appear like he's acting especially if he's paired with 'natural' actresses like Florence Pugh - who makes the work look breezy.
Olivia Wilde does a great job in creating this glossy world of Barbie girls and Ken looking boys. Costume and set design are impeccable and the harsh desert light is suffused with a warm glow, thanks to Fil-Am Matthew Libateque. I do like the score as well, as it hints, ever so loudly that not everything is ok in this desert paradise.
Unfortunately, the writing does not offer any fresh insight into that debate whether women have to be subservient to their husbands, or what their role is in our society. The movie is a more menacing version of The Stepford Wives, which I enjoyed watching as well (the Nicole Kidman version). This movie is more messy and violent though in how it handles the denouement, unlike how kooky it was that the great Glenn Close had to be electrocuted and the suave Christopher Walken's decapitation in the more funny, The Stepford Wives.
It does show that Olivia Wilde should continue to direct movies so that she can sharpen her vision and eventually find her original voice.
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