★★★
A young woman befriends a lonely widow who's harbouring a dark and deadly agenda toward her.
Classification: 15
Greta is a strange film, its presentation gives the impression that it sees itself much more seriously than how it is executed. A psychological thriller with an eerie lead performance from Isabelle Huppert is hindered by confusingly hilarious editing choices and logical issues in story. Greta feels like a B movie that acts like a prestige drama and this confusion of tones makes for an odd viewing that leaves you unsure on exactly what you just witnessed.
The main highlight of Greta is in its performances, both Isabelle Huppert and Chloë Grace Moretz shine in this film with Huppert chewing the scenery wonderfully as Greta. Moretz’s naive innocence as Frances serves the story the well and how her nightmare slowly unfolds. Maika Monroe also impresses in her supporting role, their performances enhance the film from its peculiar delivery and does allow believability within Frances’s story. Huppert especially shines in the film, balancing genuine terror and villainous camp in her intriguing performance as the eponymous character although clearer insight into the character’s motivations would have been a benefit.
The film functions similarly to 1990’s Misery, a film with similar plot developments and themes of obsession and isolation. The script does a decent job in establishing the relationship between Frances and Greta along with Frances’s complicated relationship with her father and why a maternal figure like Greta would appeal to her. The direction of this script is where the film loses its focus, moments intended to scare are edited where it is unintentionally comedic and the more offbeat elements of the film don’t fit in with the tone established early in the film. These inconsistencies distract from the tension within the story and Frances’s plight and has one thinking what are the intentions that director Neil Jordan had in telling this story.
Even with its peculiar narrative and artistic decisions, Greta is an entertaining thriller with satisfying conclusions for its characters. A stellar performance from Huppert in which she commands every scene she’s in and even her presence can be felt throughout the scenes where she is absent. Production design along with the musical score from Javier Navarrete are definite highlights in the experience of the film. A strange combination of incredible strengths and bizarre flaws, Greta will either entertain you or confound you, perhaps both.
Director: #NeilJordan
Release Date: April 19th 2019
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images and Synopsis from the Internet Movie Database
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