Evan Rachel Wood's cinematic journey to "Westworld" has been rich and fruitful. Some may have been impressed by her performance in "Across the universe" (2007), a tribute to The Beatles, in which she brings to the movie audience a fresh face and voice that charms. Others may notice that she seems to be specializing in the role of a young woman (teenager, in fact) forced into maturity in a single-parent family with a child-adult father. Those who have seen "King of California" (2007) and "The wrestler" (2008) know what I mean. Then there is Dolores in "Westworld" that makes her face recognized around the world - the robot that gradually and agonizingly acquires humanity. One critic points out that her character in "Kajillionaire" bears a degree of similarity to Dolores, an observation that has some merits.
"Kajillionaire" is written and directed my Miranda July, whose debut "Me and you and everyone we know" (2005), a gem of an indie, demonstrated the magic that creative talent can bring to the movie screen.
In "Kajillionaire" there is a third, equally crucial contribution making the movie a work of wonder that it is. Gina Rodriguez plays a role here that, while a supporting role, makes Wood's character work. I'll elaborate later.
"Kajillionaire" should be a strong contender for best actress, supporting actress and original screenplay for any movie awards competition. For mainstream awards such as Oscar, best picture would not normally go to a small-budget indie, unfortunately.
Kajillionaire's running time is one-and-three-quarter hours. If you don't know anything about this movie, you may be wondering, during the first half-hour, where it is heading. You are privy to the day-to-day existence of a family that may be best described as quirky. Perpetually struggling at the edge of poverty, parents Robert (Richard Jenkins) and Teresa (Debra Winger), together with 26-year old daughter Old Dolio (Wood) work as a well-drilled trio team for petty theft and con. They are the polar opposite to Ocean's Eleven. For this trio, nothing is too small. For a while, the narrative does not seem to go anywhere, with July's sense of offbeat humour carrying the day. Then, enters Melanie (Rodriguez), and the movie brightens and deepens.
Through a chance meeting, Melanie is co-opted into the group. She has some experiences with the art of conning and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the trio of old hands. What she brings, however, is her personality: sunshine cheerfulness, irrepressible enthusiasm, thoughtful tenderness, positive confidence. It is through her that what we have seen hitherto (details I deliberately omit lest it spoils you enjoyment of the ride) in Old Dolio is magnified. While it wouldn't be right to compare her to Dolores, Old Dolio does display an unhealthy lacking in emotions. She does not appear to be even interested in things around her. We now begin to wonder why.
Do not let me mislead you into thinking that there is some convoluted history of childhood trauma. That would be way beneath July. It is just a case of neglecting and irresponsible parenthood, to such an extent that Melanie quickly senses it and tells Old Dolio plainly that her parents are "monsters" to whom she is "addicted".
"Kajillionaire" is a cinematic journey that makes you feel absurd, hilarious, irritated, despair, ridiculous, heart-broken, warmly touched. It does all that to you. In the end, you leave with a smile on your face, believing that despite all that, there is still hope for humanity.
"Kajillionaire" is written and directed my Miranda July, whose debut "Me and you and everyone we know" (2005), a gem of an indie, demonstrated the magic that creative talent can bring to the movie screen.
In "Kajillionaire" there is a third, equally crucial contribution making the movie a work of wonder that it is. Gina Rodriguez plays a role here that, while a supporting role, makes Wood's character work. I'll elaborate later.
"Kajillionaire" should be a strong contender for best actress, supporting actress and original screenplay for any movie awards competition. For mainstream awards such as Oscar, best picture would not normally go to a small-budget indie, unfortunately.
Kajillionaire's running time is one-and-three-quarter hours. If you don't know anything about this movie, you may be wondering, during the first half-hour, where it is heading. You are privy to the day-to-day existence of a family that may be best described as quirky. Perpetually struggling at the edge of poverty, parents Robert (Richard Jenkins) and Teresa (Debra Winger), together with 26-year old daughter Old Dolio (Wood) work as a well-drilled trio team for petty theft and con. They are the polar opposite to Ocean's Eleven. For this trio, nothing is too small. For a while, the narrative does not seem to go anywhere, with July's sense of offbeat humour carrying the day. Then, enters Melanie (Rodriguez), and the movie brightens and deepens.
Through a chance meeting, Melanie is co-opted into the group. She has some experiences with the art of conning and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the trio of old hands. What she brings, however, is her personality: sunshine cheerfulness, irrepressible enthusiasm, thoughtful tenderness, positive confidence. It is through her that what we have seen hitherto (details I deliberately omit lest it spoils you enjoyment of the ride) in Old Dolio is magnified. While it wouldn't be right to compare her to Dolores, Old Dolio does display an unhealthy lacking in emotions. She does not appear to be even interested in things around her. We now begin to wonder why.
Do not let me mislead you into thinking that there is some convoluted history of childhood trauma. That would be way beneath July. It is just a case of neglecting and irresponsible parenthood, to such an extent that Melanie quickly senses it and tells Old Dolio plainly that her parents are "monsters" to whom she is "addicted".
"Kajillionaire" is a cinematic journey that makes you feel absurd, hilarious, irritated, despair, ridiculous, heart-broken, warmly touched. It does all that to you. In the end, you leave with a smile on your face, believing that despite all that, there is still hope for humanity.