You Tried Your Best, And You Failed
I wrote some words on Beau is Afraid and what movies should be.
I don’t know what it says about me that I own two copies of Midsommar. Definitely nothing positive.
The normal release and the extended A24 Ari Aster-approved cut are two of the few dozen DVDs/Blu-rays sitting right underneath my television. There’s a lot to dissect here (and we don’t have time for all of that), but Midsommar is one of my favorite movies. From the last few years and also of all time.
It’s a fucked-up fever dream that starts with the worst possible imaginable thing and ends with a life in flames, metaphorically and physically. Florence Pugh deserves multiple Oscars and a Pulitzer and a Nobel Peace Prize for her work here. Also, it’s so goddamn funny?
So, my love for Aster’s second movie and adoration for his preceding one, Hereditary, made me a mark for his newest horror/fantastical journey/comedy which is Beau is Afraid. And … I liked it? Or, maybe not. I’ve thought about it a lot since seeing it, which is always a good sign.
It has some of my favorite scenes of the (admittedly short) year thus far, from the opening city sequence to a Patti Lupone monologue for the ages, and yet, I found myself let down by the second half of the movie so dramatically that I don’t know where I stand when it comes to Aster’s near-three-hour therapeutical exercise that had quite a bit to say on his mommy issues, sexual exploits and anxiety.
Some of my favorite movies as of late are ones in which I almost don’t feel comfortable recommending, recently films like Annihilation, The Lighthouse, Under the Silver Lake and A Ghost Story. There’s a bit of alienation from the filmmakers to their own audience (and almost an aversion) which I respond to, as you see enough movies and you start getting bored by the usual give and take. Like, I need something divisive to feel like it’s worth trying out. Probably not healthy, but then again, very few things I do are.
The Beau is Afraid thing is interesting because although it won’t be one of my favorites from the year, or even that memorable compared to some of his other work, Ari Aster has almost upped my expectations for him with such a bold swing despite its failings. After leaving the movie, a few of us were discussing whether it was good or bad or ???. I’ve ultimately leaned towards good with an infinite amount of reservations and understanding if you leave the movie infuriated. And yet, isn’t that a good thing?
There’s a sense of sameness and staleness when it comes to what’s being made. Another Harry Potter? Sure. More Twilight? Fuck it, why not? An adaptation of The Little Mermaid that is nearly an hour longer than the original and looks like shit? You gotta do that. So, when something as original and weird comes out like Beau is Afraid, I’m going to respect the attempt if nothing else.
^me to Ari Aster after seeing Beau is Afraid
So, I guess what I’m trying to say here is that I kinda liked Beau is Afraid, I guess. And that I hope Aster goes nuts once again in the future.
I don’t know. My allergies are acting up, so I feel a bit all over the place right now.
Do I recommend this movie? Umm. Do I think you should see this movie so you can text me what the fuck? the second you leave the theater? I want nothing more.