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Welcome back to The Cinematic Schematic, the official podcast of The Cinematropolis.com. Today I’m reviewing Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut, Promising Young Woman.
DISCLAIMER: Potentially triggering topics including rape and sexual assault are a central part of the plot and themes of Promising Young Woman. If you are sensitive to these subjects, this review and the film may not be for you. Reader and listener discretion is advised.
According to IMDB Promising Young Woman is described as “A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who cross her path.” The film is written/directed by Emerald Fennell and stars Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, and Allison Brie.
Fennell’s directorial debut is a bold, sharp and oftentimes excruciating examination of the double standard between men and women, accusers and the accused and victims and their predators in our society. It’s a rape-revenge thriller that not only disregards your comfort, but actually relishes in your discontent.
In the midst of an ongoing culture war between a justice system that stands by the principle of innocent until proven guilty and a cancel culture that has taken to social media to demand retribution against sexual predators who have thus far been off the hook, what are the downsides to our current justice system, especially in the court of public opinion? And even more importantly, what are the human costs to the victims when the accused are allowed to walk away?
These are just a couple of the questions the film is most interested in exploring, and it does so in an intensely dramatic and even humorous fashion.
There are three things, in particular, I want to note about Promising Young Woman.
#1. This is another impactful addition to a growing line of powerful #MeToo Era films
Following October 2017, when dozens of women came forward accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault, or even worse, the #MeToo movement emerged as a rallying cry for victims against sexual abuse, later followed by TIME’S UP.
In the years since, we’ve seen several movies made on this topic from the perspectives of the women who step forward in the face of powerful predators.
In 2019 and 2020, we saw the releases of Bombshell, an adaptation of the accounts of women at Fox News who set out to expose CEO Roger Ailes of sexual harassment, The Assistant, a fictional story inspired by stories of women who survived encounters with Harvey Weinstein, and documentaries like On the Record and Athlete A that take on institutional sexism and sexual harassment.
Fennel is tackling these same ideas, themes, and social issues head-on without any apologies for how you may feel and more than a few laughs to keep you on your toes. Carey Mulligan’s character Cassie isn’t looking for healing or redemption; she’s out for vengeance against the men in her life who have harmed her and her loved ones.
#2. Even though the film was made in this post-MeToo context, it’s actually asking the audience to go even deeper.
At one point during the film, one of the male characters, Al played by Chris Lowell, claims “It’s every man’s worst nightmare to be accused,” to which Carrie Mulligan’s character Cassie responds “what do you think every woman’s worst nightmare is?”
Promising Young Woman isn’t letting audiences off the hook without confronting that question.
Writer/director Emerald Fennell isn’t just playing out Cassie’s revenge fantasies on the screen to create a twisted sort of catharsis or fulfillment for the audience, but rather she’s asking the audience to reconsider how we view justice, especially in regards to sexual harassment and assault.
What do women who come forward have to lose or to gain? Similarly, why do our systems tend to protect those committing the crimes? And what emotional/psychological trauma does that leave with the victims who live to see the perpetrators move on?
It also asks us to consider why the fault has historically fallen on young rape victims for putting themselves in precarious situations, while their young male counterparts are often given a much softer slap on the wrist. Pre-MeToo, why was this an acceptable modus operandi? Taking this a step further, how are those running the courts and universities in addition to those who are aware, but do not speak up, also complicit and responsible for the trauma?
The film asks us to reconsider how sexual harassment and assault have been judged by our society by putting us in Cassie’s shoes as she confronts the ghosts of her past.
Ultimately, she leaves the interpretation of what to take away to the audience, which makes Promising Young Woman a strong conversation-starter.
#3. This movie is tonally all of the place and may be a turnoff for some viewers.
One moment it’s funny, the next moment it’s sad, and then a moment later you can’t decide who to sympathize with and who to hate. This approach to such important and sensitive topics may be a major turnoff for viewers. But for those who appreciate the very in-your-face approach to tough conversations and subjects, there’s plenty to like.
What else?
- This film features a career-best performance for Carey Mulligan
- There are a number of small, enjoyable appearances or cameos from some of Hollywood’s unsung character actors, including Adam Brody, Jennifer Coolidge, and Clancy Brown, among others.
- The Anthony Willis cover of Brittany Spears’ Toxic cover that can be heard in the trailer is money, and when it shows up in the film, you know something big is about to go down.
To sum it up—For my money, this is one of the most impactful and memorable films I’ve seen in 2020.
I’m giving Promising Young Woman letter grade A.
