"Saltburn" Could have Shocked More

 


    When I first saw Jacob Elordi in Euphoria, I was flabbergasted. I mean I only knew him for starring in the Netflix movie series The Kissing Booth, and frankly I was skeptical of anyone who was in those movies, but don't be, this is proof that you really can turn your career around regardless of what you do at the beginning of it. With that little tangent out of the way let me summarize this movie this movie for you, beautiful, but depraved. 

    Honestly, if they went all-in on the shock-value for this film, and tried to make it as perverted as possible, I might actually enjoy it more. So many times did I watch this movie only to feel like really? That's all they're going to do? I'm not saying it's a good thing I'm so desensitized to everything, nor am I saying that I like shock value for the sake of shock value. However, if you went as shocking as possible for this film, I do feel like you could have made the argument for this film in the sense that it's shot so beautifully, but every single scene is so sickening to the human eyes. 

    Regardless of what direction I feel like this film should have gone, it was pretty good still. Like I said before, it really is a beautiful movie, and you'll enjoy watching it even if you feel like the characters are a little off. Jacob Elordi and Barry Keohogan are so good in this film and they absolutely carry this, you leave this film with both characters imprinted within your mind, and in a good way too. 

    Honestly though, the twist in the film was pretty predictable. Of course eventually you realize there's a bit more to this awkward nerdy character than it seems to let on, but it all kind of gets shoved into the very end of the film once Elordi's character sadly passes away. I suppose that makes sense because that's the domino that causes everything to fall, but in my mind I thought it would have been better if it wasn't just a simple we hate the rich movie, because in that department honestly it's pretty lacking. You learn that Barry's character comes from a pretty nice rich family anyways, and it turns out he was just obsessed with this other family and wanting more. Keep in mind while these rich people are weird, Jacob's character seems like a genuinely nice guy too, so you're kind of sad that he dies.

Final Score: 70/100

    Regardless of it's flaws, I think Saltburn is still a delight to watch, if not for the cinematography alone. Do I think it's a good film for a second re-watch? Perhaps if you're there to analyze the film for particular qualities, but if someone spoiled the film to you and you just want to watch it you'll probably be less excited knowing what twists are there to come. I still think they could have gone farther, it would have entirely been for the purpose of pushing art further, but honestly it would have been better than the little bits and pieces of shock value they interlaced into this film.


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