- S: A couple of elements feel a bit off, particularly the juxtaposition of the advanced technology that Aaryan works on with the lack of very advanced technology in their
home and the age of his mother, but these elements are explained to some extent.
- C: Production design is interesting and a blend of a couple of different styles, the location is stunning, and the props are just the right blend of futuristic and functional.
Framing is simple and effective and costuming is interesting, eye-catching, and serves an important narrative purpose.
- E: Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen's performances take this movie to incredible heights. In particular, Alicia's ability to switch between the child Virginia and the assessor
Virginia is brilliant. Top-tier performances mixed with a conceptually interesting, challenging story is pretty hard to beat. The film does have a bit of a stop right after Virginia finishes
her assessment with some scenes that felt a bit too short and some harsh cuts. Otherwise, impossible to look away.
- N: The basic concept is simple, elegant, ethically complex and meaningful. There's no element of the story that feels out of place. The assessment
is full of so many twists and turns, but every one feels designed to tell something about Aaryan and Mia's relationship and parenthood in general. Best of all, the film ends with a
beautiful, thought-provoking metaphor about choices and the distinction between those that can live in a fabricated world, those who need to experience reality, and those stuck in between.
- T: The film received five bonus points: one for the brilliance of the assessment concept and execution, one for the first scene where Virginia transitions to a child, one for
the bathing scene where Vikander's and Olsen's performances are so perfect that its almost like they both and we as the viewer forget that Virginia is pretending to be her child, one for Alicia Vikander's
unbelievably nuanced performance, and one for a rather surprisingly meaningful and thought-provoking conclusion.
I went in with high expectations and was blown away. Vikander delivers a jaw-dropping performance that carries the film. The brilliant performances in conjunction with a
gripping story, beautiful visuals, all capped with a touching call to self-reflection make this an unforgettable movie.
Number of Watches: 1
