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"Vox Lux" is a very interesting experience more than an interesting film. Not to insinuate I'm trashing it out the gate. On the contrary, I much admire its dedication to a style so divergent from the Hollywood standard that it beckoned me to continue watching even when you feel like I'd lost grasp of the film's intentions. Naturally, this approach is enough to alienate a large portion of any potential audience if they are not inclined to consume a structure that almost seems purposely pretentious at times and genuinely, intensely philosophical at others. The film truly manages to walk a tightrope that gives it both scale and scope and the feeling of an art house film. I wish I could say that it's a brilliant piece of work on either end but, though it keep me fascinated in its own special way, it remains more of a curious piece than an outright masterpiece.
The story follows the rise of a teenager named Celeste (played by Raffey Cassidy for the first half) who, in the wake of a school shooting, is cast into a spotlight and soon finds herself in a whirlwind of celebrity as she is groomed to become a pop star. Divided into several acts which give us a peek into different portions of her life (Celeste is played by Natalie Portman in the film's latter half), we begin to see the disastrous effect of celebrity on her innocence. As she was affected by tragedy, tragedy and the surrounding world begin to affect her life and art and, as the film progresses, they affect the world around her.
"Vox Lux" is a visually alluring picture. If you're a fan of cinema, the filmmaker's approach to this movie will grab you and not let go. From its lighting, to its aspect ratio, to its eclectic structure, to its use of a narrator the vague nature the film inherently hooks you in, dangerously skirting the precipice of feeling like an overt effort to stand out. Narratively, the film is something of an obtuse beast, at times seemingly dead set on defying expectations and at others leaning so hard into a concept that you begin to question its intentions.
In line with this, our main character is not a particularly likable one. This is yet another angle that can potentially drive away an audience. I've always been intrigued by stories that dare to challenge the viewer with a detestable protagonist and, admittedly, this was part of the fascination I had with the picture. Too boot, she lives in a world that is as ugly as she is. Given the idea that she is catalyzed by events and in turn affects others, this fits in perfectly with the tone but does not necessarily make for a comfortable viewing experience.
In short, "Vox Lux" is not for everyone. It is a very brazenly unfriendly film but for that reason it is a very fascinating film. What made it work for me, beyond the morbid interest in its defiant approach and its unique presentation, WAS how it unflinchingly it holds a mirror up to the flaws in its characters and the world they populate. The film finds its beauty in presentation but definitely not in its narrative building blocks and, shockingly, that feels very intentional. This makes for a dissonant but intriguing watch, if you're not immediately turned off by it.
"Vox Lux" is a somewhat enigmatic piece but it does eventually come together as a harsh character piece. Its cryptic finale suggests a far colder ambition in Celeste that makes you reevaluate all the moments in her life in a new light. Par the course of the film, this only makes her even more unlikable than you previously thought. Almost as if the movie's rebelliousness is punctuated by a character arc opposite that of the status quo.
Indeed, "Vox Lux" defies expectations constantly. Sometimes to its benefit and sometimes to the bafflement of the audience but it never lost my rapt attention. It is not a perfect film and it is most definitely not a film that many will take to. That being said, it is a film that can most definitely be called unique. If your interested in something that is completely against the grain, then it might be for you. Upon first viewing I give it a 7/10 but I have a feeling that will improve upon repeated viewings as it is most definitely a film that begs to be revisited.
