Current Contest Banner


EFX Subscriptions

The Slippery Soapbox

You have opinions to share and bizarre questions to ask, this is the place for discussions that don't fit any other forum section.

The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby ctaulbee » Sep Mon 19, 2016 1:12 am

The Neon Demon (2016)


Cast: Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Bella Heathcote, Abbey Lee, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Alessandro Nivola

Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn
Music by Cliff Martinez        
Cinematography by Natasha Braier

Running time: 1 hour, 57 minutes

Rated R for disturbing violent content, bloody images, graphic nudity, a scene of aberrant sexuality, and language.





"The Neon Demon," is a slick-sicko-shock horror show that mixes low-end grindhouse taboos with high-grade arthouse aesthetics. Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, the Danish auteur behind "Drive" and "Only God Forgives," it is a movie primarily about Elle Fanning's face. Specifically, the inimitable, effervescent, and most importantly, youthful beauty of her character, Jesse, a young model making her way into the gaping maw of the modeling industry in Los Angeles. There's a real obsession and focus on her innocent, rounded visage that drives the film.  Refn, is convinced that profundity resides beneath the shallows of narcissism. It’s a tough sell, but an intoxicating one, especially upon subsequent viewings.

Refn is hardly the first movie-maker to find a link between supermodels and scary monsters, but he may be the most style-minded one to make the connection. Imagine an issue of Vogue with Maleficent as guest editor. "Are you food, or are you sex?" older model Gigi (Bella Heathcote) demands of Jesse upon their first meeting, while slicking on a lipstick called "Red Rum," the name a glorious double entendre. In this world of LA models, these are the two ways to be consumed, so virginal Jesse has to decide fairly quickly which one she wants to be.

The Neon Demon swoons along with the Hollywood denizens who encounter Elle Fanning’s Jesse, a hayseed with an angel’s face (but maybe not the innocence) who seeks L.A. stardom just past the age of 16. Her beauty, youth and implacability ruffle the feathers and sharpen the teeth of fixated fashionistas played by Jena Malone, Abbey Lee and Bella Heathcote, all slightly older than Jesse (20 is considered ancient in this jaded realm). They jealously consider her both a threat and a celestial presence: “You’re the sun,” one hungrily admires.

This is a Los Angeles David Lynch might recognize, Jesse lives in a Pasadena motel managed by Keanu Reeves’ sleazy Hank, who has more kinks than a Slinky but Refn’s not interested in a cautionary tale about getting mixed up in a culture where men, indulging a quasi-paedeophilic impulse, violate and re-purpose young girls while teaching them to hate themselves; there’s no cathartic eureka moment with Fanning declaring she doesn’t need this shit, yearning for a return to the wholesome and honest surroundings of her small town.

Frequent Refn collaborator Cliff Martinez heightens the dread with his seductive electronic score charging the mood with a frenzied heart and waning glimpses of crystal chimes, which beautifully meshes with Natasha Braier’s iridescent cinematography. Together they make the vapid seem deep add in Jesse's vintage-inspired wardrobe, the aggressively colorful visual design, and the dry, wry campiness, "The Neon Demon" feels like a 1970s cult flick, inspired by the female-driven horrors of Dario Argento's "Suspiria," or Roman Polanski's sexual-psychological doozy "Repulsion," starring Catherine Deneuve.


"The Neon Demon" is far less operatic than these films -- colder, controlled. But it's just as archly silly, quotable, visually hypnotic and perfectly suited for repeat viewings. On first watch, the film is bizarre, hallucinatory, shockingly gruesome. A second watch unlocks the dumb-clever charms of Refn's script, written with Mary Laws and Polly Stenham, with lines like, "plastics is just good grooming," and "beauty isn't everything, it's the only thing." You'll chuckle along, and you're supposed to, though the performers are deadly serious.

There’s no denying the beauty of Refn’s images, even if his puerile instincts are at odds with his obvious pretensions. Those who cry it’s shallow and ugly won’t be wrong; others will love it for those very reasons. The Neon Demon’s going to frustrate anyone who goes in looking for a conventional film or a thriller that has any interest in actually scaring you.


EFX Rating30 stars


The Neon Demon, Trailers
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
My Gallery  •  Please leave a vote and short comment if you download my work, thanks.  •  My Criterion Collection
User avatar
ctaulbee
Super Administrator
Hand Me The Sledgehammer... I'll Fix It!
Topic author
Posts: 16188
Topics: 1091
CoverArt: 3412
Resources: 4628
Joined: November 8, 2005
Occupation: The Devil's Hand
Location: Realm of Nightmares
Medals: 56
2021 Cover of The Year (1)COTM March 2021 (1)COTM January 2021 (1)COTM November 2020 (1)
COTM July 2020 (1)COTM February 2020 (1)COTM January 2020 (1)COTM December 2019 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby Fogdude » Sep Mon 19, 2016 6:04 am

I've considered seeing this one, but it strikes me as being a bit too artsy for my taste. I'll have to wait & see if others find it so...
Image
User avatar
Fogdude
VIP Subscriber
If you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
Posts: 2451
Topics: 153
Joined: January 2, 2016
Occupation: Retired IT guy. I was the one looking up from beneath your desk...
Location: Houston, Texas
Medals: 1
Mr Grumpy 2017 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby kylumi » Sep Mon 19, 2016 10:57 am

Based on this review..............I'm going to give the movie a go. 8-)
Image
User avatar
kylumi
Lifetime Achievement
Keep Calm, I'm British!
Posts: 4671
Topics: 185
CoverArt: 312
Resources: 4
Joined: December 6, 2005
Medals: 28
2016 September Cover Contest (1)COTM April 2016 (1)2016 February Label Contest (1)COTM 2015 November (1)
2015 November Cover Contest (1)COTM 2015 October (1)2015 October Cover Contest (1)2015 September Cover Contest (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby Fogdude » Sep Mon 19, 2016 11:10 am

I trust you'll let us know how you liked it?  :-)
Image
User avatar
Fogdude
VIP Subscriber
If you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
Posts: 2451
Topics: 153
Joined: January 2, 2016
Occupation: Retired IT guy. I was the one looking up from beneath your desk...
Location: Houston, Texas
Medals: 1
Mr Grumpy 2017 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby ctaulbee » Sep Mon 19, 2016 2:23 pm

It's very arthouse ;-)
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
My Gallery  •  Please leave a vote and short comment if you download my work, thanks.  •  My Criterion Collection
User avatar
ctaulbee
Super Administrator
Hand Me The Sledgehammer... I'll Fix It!
Topic author
Posts: 16188
Topics: 1091
CoverArt: 3412
Resources: 4628
Joined: November 8, 2005
Occupation: The Devil's Hand
Location: Realm of Nightmares
Medals: 56
2021 Cover of The Year (1)COTM March 2021 (1)COTM January 2021 (1)COTM November 2020 (1)
COTM July 2020 (1)COTM February 2020 (1)COTM January 2020 (1)COTM December 2019 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby Fogdude » Sep Mon 19, 2016 3:32 pm

ctaulbee wrote:It's very arthouse ;-)


That was my sense of it. Thanks for confirming. I'll pass.  :-O
Image
User avatar
Fogdude
VIP Subscriber
If you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
Posts: 2451
Topics: 153
Joined: January 2, 2016
Occupation: Retired IT guy. I was the one looking up from beneath your desk...
Location: Houston, Texas
Medals: 1
Mr Grumpy 2017 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby chouette » Sep Tue 20, 2016 12:41 am

Fogdude wrote:
ctaulbee wrote:It's very arthouse ;-)


That was my sense of it. Thanks for confirming. I'll pass.  :-O


Ditto... ;-)
Image
User avatar
chouette
Site Moderator
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Posts: 9862
Topics: 281
CoverArt: 6477
Resources: 270
Joined: May 29, 2013
Occupation: Annoy Wrench
Location: Ontario, Canada
Medals: 18
EFX ShoutBox Champ 2022 (1)2023 January Cover Contest (1)15,000 Downloads (1)EFX ShoutBox Champ 2021 (1)
EFX ShoutBox Champ 2020 (1)EFX Camp Counselor 2020 (1)EFX ShoutBox Champ 2019 (1)Contributor Of The Year 2019 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby VincentLupo » Sep Tue 20, 2016 7:01 pm

Nice review CT. I'm in.  I usually like arthouse.
Image
User avatar
VincentLupo
Moderator
The Panda Moderator
Posts: 9748
Topics: 7
CoverArt: 2
Joined: February 21, 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa USA
Medals: 3
EFX 5K Post Club (1)Pandapedia Official Founder (1)Official Panda Moderator (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby Fogdude » Sep Tue 20, 2016 7:11 pm

VincentLupo wrote:Nice review CT. I'm in.  I usually like arthouse.


I worry about you, sometimes, Vincent! It takes a peculiarly twisted mind to be able to tolerate arthouse films! :-O
Image
User avatar
Fogdude
VIP Subscriber
If you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
Posts: 2451
Topics: 153
Joined: January 2, 2016
Occupation: Retired IT guy. I was the one looking up from beneath your desk...
Location: Houston, Texas
Medals: 1
Mr Grumpy 2017 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby chouette » Sep Tue 20, 2016 11:28 pm

Fogdude wrote:
VincentLupo wrote:Nice review CT. I'm in.  I usually like arthouse.


I worry about you, sometimes, Vincent! It takes a peculiarly twisted mind to be able to tolerate arthouse films! :-O


I worry about him also Fog, he's been passing on a lot of good movies and then says he's in for this??? Really??? I'm very, very worried, lol

:cutethinking
Image
User avatar
chouette
Site Moderator
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Posts: 9862
Topics: 281
CoverArt: 6477
Resources: 270
Joined: May 29, 2013
Occupation: Annoy Wrench
Location: Ontario, Canada
Medals: 18
EFX ShoutBox Champ 2022 (1)2023 January Cover Contest (1)15,000 Downloads (1)EFX ShoutBox Champ 2021 (1)
EFX ShoutBox Champ 2020 (1)EFX Camp Counselor 2020 (1)EFX ShoutBox Champ 2019 (1)Contributor Of The Year 2019 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby ctaulbee » Sep Tue 20, 2016 11:44 pm

This is a good film to invigorate your mind, glad to see Vince is up for the challenge.

:-O
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
My Gallery  •  Please leave a vote and short comment if you download my work, thanks.  •  My Criterion Collection
User avatar
ctaulbee
Super Administrator
Hand Me The Sledgehammer... I'll Fix It!
Topic author
Posts: 16188
Topics: 1091
CoverArt: 3412
Resources: 4628
Joined: November 8, 2005
Occupation: The Devil's Hand
Location: Realm of Nightmares
Medals: 56
2021 Cover of The Year (1)COTM March 2021 (1)COTM January 2021 (1)COTM November 2020 (1)
COTM July 2020 (1)COTM February 2020 (1)COTM January 2020 (1)COTM December 2019 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby chouette » Sep Wed 21, 2016 12:01 am

ctaulbee wrote:This is a good film to invigorate your mind, glad to see Vince is up for the challenge.

:-O


I HATE to invigorate my mind! It's TOO MUCH WORK! :-l lol
Image
User avatar
chouette
Site Moderator
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
Posts: 9862
Topics: 281
CoverArt: 6477
Resources: 270
Joined: May 29, 2013
Occupation: Annoy Wrench
Location: Ontario, Canada
Medals: 18
EFX ShoutBox Champ 2022 (1)2023 January Cover Contest (1)15,000 Downloads (1)EFX ShoutBox Champ 2021 (1)
EFX ShoutBox Champ 2020 (1)EFX Camp Counselor 2020 (1)EFX ShoutBox Champ 2019 (1)Contributor Of The Year 2019 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby VincentLupo » Sep Wed 21, 2016 12:22 am

Well I have to keep you guessing.  Wouldn't want to be predictable.
Image
User avatar
VincentLupo
Moderator
The Panda Moderator
Posts: 9748
Topics: 7
CoverArt: 2
Joined: February 21, 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa USA
Medals: 3
EFX 5K Post Club (1)Pandapedia Official Founder (1)Official Panda Moderator (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016) - Review

Postby Fogdude » Sep Wed 21, 2016 7:30 am

VincentLupo wrote:Well I have to keep you guessing.  Wouldn't want to be predictable.


It's certainly working! Just when I think I have you pegged, you go off on a tangent I had not imagined! :-O
Image
User avatar
Fogdude
VIP Subscriber
If you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
Posts: 2451
Topics: 153
Joined: January 2, 2016
Occupation: Retired IT guy. I was the one looking up from beneath your desk...
Location: Houston, Texas
Medals: 1
Mr Grumpy 2017 (1)

Re: The Neon Demon (2016)

Postby Moviebugg88 » Aug Fri 10, 2018 1:59 am

I couldn't have said it any better CT....Wonderful breakdown of this film
"*KEEP CALM*.....It's only the Trailer"
User avatar
Moviebugg88
Sussed Member
Never forget too brush your teeth.
Posts: 111
Topics: 7
CoverArt: 195
Joined: March 5, 2018


  • Similar topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to The Slippery Soapbox



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


EFX Subscriptions