Read Mixed User Reviews for Vox Lux

5

frankrog29Jun 23, 2019

Vox Lux's grandiose cinematography, score, and voice-over narration imply that the movie is profound, but, much like the pop music it features, it is rather dull and insipid. Natalie Portman and Jude Law are good actors but they can't makeVox Lux's grandiose cinematography, score, and voice-over narration imply that the movie is profound, but, much like the pop music it features, it is rather dull and insipid. Natalie Portman and Jude Law are good actors but they can't make the movie's shallow screenplay compelling. Also, I just wasn't convinced of Ms. Portman as a pop star, especially in the concert scene at the end, in which she is just wandering through the dance moves with no conviction. Some scenes are just awful, such as young Celeste whispering about her dream inaudibly on a hotel bed or the fight between Celeste and the restaurant manager, which is over so quickly that it barely registers. The movie does have a point to make about the superficiality of pop culture and society's exaltation of vapid, corrupt, even psychotic people (e.g., mass shooters) in the media. However, by two-thirds of the way through, the movie has already made this point, and the rest of the film just seems meandering and pointless as a result. Ultimately, the screenplay and direction just aren't effective enough to make this film as profound as it seems to want to be.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

TVJerryDec 14, 2018

Comparisons to the current A Star Is Born are inevitable, but there's no comparison on any level. This somewhat experimental film wears its edgy credentials all over the place: random visual styles, quirky editing, heavy-handed, evenComparisons to the current A Star Is Born are inevitable, but there's no comparison on any level. This somewhat experimental film wears its edgy credentials all over the place: random visual styles, quirky editing, heavy-handed, even melodramatic score (not to mention the clunky narration). It follows a young woman as she endures a traumatic event, then goes on to become a pop star. The role is first played by Raffey Cassidy, then after about 45 minutes, by Natalie Portman, Confusingly, all of the other main roles keep the same actors for both time periods. This role gives Portman a chance to strap on a New York accent, become a ranting, self-absorbed rock star with personal issues (nothing new here) and even perform a mini concert (songs by Sia). The film tries to make some statements and dazzle with showy style. Even so, there's still a weirdly compelling aspect that keeps it from being a totally self-indulgent mess.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

Brent_MarchantDec 16, 2018

An offering that tries ever so hard to get traction (in a number of ways) but never succeeds in generating any kind of meaningful direction or momentum. Much of the cryptic dialogue and vastly overwritten voice-over narration makes littleAn offering that tries ever so hard to get traction (in a number of ways) but never succeeds in generating any kind of meaningful direction or momentum. Much of the cryptic dialogue and vastly overwritten voice-over narration makes little sense and comes across more like pointless stream of consciousness babble. What's more, for a film about a pop star, there's precious little music in it (what's that all about?). Natalie Portman makes a valiant effort to try and save this patient, but, by the time she finally comes on screen in the second act, the code has already long been called. This is one of those wrong-headed releases that can't help but make me wonder, what was everybody thinking about when they decided to make this one?… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

LamontRaymondDec 9, 2018

It's literally a movie in 2 parts. The first part is outstanding - high drama with the school incident, and Raffey Cassidy is outstanding as young Celeste. Her getting in the music biz, learning the studio and the dance moves were allIt's literally a movie in 2 parts. The first part is outstanding - high drama with the school incident, and Raffey Cassidy is outstanding as young Celeste. Her getting in the music biz, learning the studio and the dance moves were all compelling. Even the music video was "cool" and edgy. As soon as the movie jumps 16 years later and Portman takes over as Celeste, the air is let out of the balloon. The story from then on simply isn't compelling at all. And the last 10 minutes is flat BORING. Which is crazy given what's happening there. It's a bummer to say this because I really do like Natalie Portman. She was super likable at a Q&A she did tonight at my theater. (The writer/director, on the other hand, pretty much flat-lined it.. But maybe that's just his personality.) Is it worth seeing for the first half? I'd say so. But just don't go in with any crazy-high expectations.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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5

KeithDowDec 17, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Warning: spoilers ahead.

The one piece of tangible film criticism we'll give 'Vox Lux' is that the artistic approach to the sound design is supremely disagreeable, which is a cardinal sin considering the plot is based on the life of a traumatized pop star.

Beyond that, the opening scene is so unexpectedly jarring that it casts a pall over the entirety of the film. Full stop. At first, we planned on holding 30-year old writer/director Brady Corbet accountable for putting such a shocking and downright questionable creative decision on screen. However, perhaps the true crime here isn't that Corbet showed the sickening reality of a school shooting to the masses of this country, but rather that the masses of this country haven't yet moved heaven and earth to ensure that something as grotesque as a school shooting only exists in the realm of fiction.

No rating.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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5

moviemitch96Dec 13, 2018

This film follows a young teen girl named Celeste (played by Raffey Cassidy in the first half,who also ends up playing her daughter, and then in the second half as an adult by Natalie Portman), who survives a school shooting and goes on toThis film follows a young teen girl named Celeste (played by Raffey Cassidy in the first half,who also ends up playing her daughter, and then in the second half as an adult by Natalie Portman), who survives a school shooting and goes on to write and perform a song to pay tribute to the victims, propelling her to stardom in the process. The film looked rather intriguing to me based on the trailers, and Portman's always been one of my favorite actresses. While the film certainly has a lot to say and provides some interesting social commentary on the price of celebrity and fame, unfortunately, the film ended up being mostly just flashy and colorful with an ultimately underwhelming and straightforward story, not to mention an abrupt ending that doesn't really satisfy. Furthermore, it honestly became more difficult to sympathize with the character of Celeste once Portman started playing her in the second half, since the character becomes a snob and a bratty diva, which I understand was the point, but that didn't make it necessarily enjoyable to sit through, though I will give Portman credit for playing the part rather well and really dazzling in many moments, particularly towards the end of the film. Jude Law is also worthwhile in his supporting role as Celeste's manager, and Willem Dafoe even narrates a handful of scenes throughout the film. Overall, it's a colorful spectacle with a side of social commentary on celeb status and capitalizing on fame through whatever means necessary, but it ultimately just felt underwhelming and maybe even a little pretentious to me at times, which disappoints me considering how intrigued I was by this film and it's premise initially, and how much I like Natalie Portman usually.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

MarkHReviewsDec 17, 2018

The opening scenes of “Vox Lux” are nothing short of magnificent. Willem Dafoe’s narration grounds the film and helps to create an anticipatory gravitas. There are unforgettably horrific visuals, exacerbated by jarring cutaways and aThe opening scenes of “Vox Lux” are nothing short of magnificent. Willem Dafoe’s narration grounds the film and helps to create an anticipatory gravitas. There are unforgettably horrific visuals, exacerbated by jarring cutaways and a jiggling camera. All of this contributes to a sense of disorientation while also creating deep excitement about what’s to come. Then the credits begin to roll, as if the film has concluded. The viewer is literally squirming with anticipation. Unfortunately, the balance of the film is a series of missed opportunities and, ultimately, an over-long denouement.

Thirteen-year-old Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) is a survivor of a grisly school shooting on Staten Island. Unable to put her adolescent thoughts and feelings into words, she co-opts a song written by her sister for her part in the memorial service. The video goes viral, and mononymous Celeste is born, instantly whisked away to Manhattan for demos, production meetings and, eventually, a trip to Stockholm to cut her first record with a legendary producer. One intuits that it’s all moving much too fast. Celeste’s rapid rise to celebrity status and her too-soon loss of innocence parallel many of the events, particularly the burgeoning cynicism, of the culture around her. September 11 is thrown in at the end of this sequence, just in case we miss the point.

The final segment features a 31-year-old Celeste (Natalie Portman), filled with cynicism and self-loathing, fueled by booze and drugs. As some have observed, this is “A Star is Born” for the bubblegum set. The film concludes with Celeste performing in her hometown, hoping for a comeback from a series of personal and professional disasters in 2017. To her credit, Portman does her own singing in this closing sequence, although her power-pop repertoire hardly calls for the vocal range of Freddie Mercury.

Where the film fails is as metaphor, analogy or any sort of clear-eyed social commentary. Claiming to offer “A Twenty-First Century Portrait,” director Brady Corbet (“The Childhood of a Leader”) creates a picture frame that contains eye-catching colors but no real depth, texture or context. Is Celeste’s loss of innocence inevitable? Is success always a result of whim, chance or random circumstance? Is the will to succeed always based in insecurity, if not self-loathing? Does success always come at another’s expense? Perhaps “Vox Lux” is mirroring contemporary culture simply by failing to take a clear stance on anything. Alternatively, this film’s ultimate contribution may be its confirmation that truth and self-awareness are hard-earned. Unfortunately, “Vox Lux” turns out to be cotton candy - an airy confection with only the appearance of substance.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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6

JLuis_001Mar 4, 2019

Natalie Portman stars in this story that doesn't come to deliver an innovative story. After all a lot of films talking about the dark side of fame have already been done before.
And even if the comparison isn't the most fair, it can be saidNatalie Portman stars in this story that doesn't come to deliver an innovative story. After all a lot of films talking about the dark side of fame have already been done before.
And even if the comparison isn't the most fair, it can be said that this film has some reminiscence to Black Swan.

But this film isn't Black Swan and the narrative is not the most dynamic, especially because there are moments where it's inevitable to think this story is a bit overloaded with pretentiousness. But it manages to save itself and become more enjoyable because of the work of the actors and the music.

As I said, Vox Lux doesn't come to re-invent anything but it does feel more sustantial than other films that deal with the same theme. Especially because Portman's character isn't someone devoted to her art but someone who doesn't have more than that because of the decisions she took for her life.
Therefore that side of the story doesn't fall into a cheap romanticism of dreams and illusions of an artist who began at the bottom and then made it big, and that's perhaps the greatest strength of this story.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

amheretojudgeFeb 24, 2019

Wrap It Up.

Vox Lux Corbet has a concept and an avant-garde panache on exploring that concept. The result is surprisingly one big mixed bag of feelings. Unfortunately, "cheated" is one of them. Not for its incompetency or some bourgeoisWrap It Up.

Vox Lux

Corbet has a concept and an avant-garde panache on exploring that concept. The result is surprisingly one big mixed bag of feelings. Unfortunately, "cheated" is one of them. Not for its incompetency or some bourgeois method, but for the hope it offers us. Among so many fumbles and in-congruent long take unedited shots- or so it seems like- there are moments where he steals the show with genuinely moving scenes and just good, fine writing. Also it is hard to summarize this film and not use "over this and over that". It does take the maturity of its concept for granted, the style that has helped us get in on this vision of Brady Corbet; the writer-director, is also the anchor that weighs it down.

It is basically a double edge sword, overstaying its welcoming and overtaxing its audience for their patience, it looses the grasp over them and the film. The narration is separately allotted clips for Willem Dafoe to fill in and then also are other empty shots of locations that feels like an awkward open void that no one took care of. Craving for the stillness in the film is one thing and halting the narration to savor it is another. Often or not, you find yourself to be in a head scratching position in order to reach for the maker's vision.

He isn't delivering anything upfront which is good since it challenges the viewers to up the game but then is also guarding this apparently precious material through excruciating antics of his that is nothing but a chunk of cliched picks of this genre. Aforementioned, the concept makes it all worth exploring, especially since it puts the film itself on trial. Questioning these celebrities and the darker side of the show business, it is lopping off its own branch with an axe.

A fine model to look forward to only if itself wouldn't have been an Oscar bait. Young Celeste and Albertine played by Raffey Cassidy has done a marvelous work on playing these both completely different characters. Jude Law's character is the most juiciest and would be fun to play, and his performance respects that piece of art equally. But as anticipated it would always be Portman's film. Her version of the on camera and off camera behavior of the pop stars is just a delight to watch.

Her sassiness and insults comes in handy, what's fascinating to behold in her performance, is the incapability to pretend in front of the reporters and public. Even her performance has got that uneasiness and also at time cheesiness that mocks these famous personalities from all directions. She is the champagne part of the evening, her bubbled up anger in a calm flashy world that she revolves around, sparks up our night to have one more glass unapologetically. Vox Lux is sort of a new sheriff in town, the vision of Corbet has a big voluptuous heart in it, disappointingly the narration is of seen-this-seen-that conflicts.… Expand

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5

bataguilaMay 6, 2019

La historia es mala, es un dia en la vida de Britney Gaga, siendo pedantes, y termina del orto. Lo unico bueno es la 1ra escena

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