Little by little, the films presented in Cannes are released in our cinemas and we discover in our turn the works that have marked the festival. This week, it is David Robert Mitchell's film Under the Silver Lake that we can discover on the big screen. A film with the appearance of a disorganized puzzle but which deserves all our attention.
It is sometimes difficult to understand the films of the Croisette. Arthouse films that do not always reach the public, that are not distributed enough or that simply do not please. It is true that the Cannes Film Festival is a festival that leaves little room for so-called "mainstream" cinema, for major blockbusters (Solo: A Star Wars Story being an exception this year). However, although we are in summer and this kind of films is omnipresent, we have now decided to turn to a film that marked Cannes although it left empty-handed (and this despite these 6 nominations).
Under The Silver Lake is a film by David Robert Mitchell, previously noted for It Follows. The film tells the story of Sam, played by Andrew Garfield, a thirty-year-old with no real job (but serious rent problems) or ambition, who spends most of his days doing nothing in his Los Angeles apartment. Apart from smoking cigarette after cigarette, he also likes to spy on his neighbors including the young Sarah, played by Kiley Keough, with whom he seems madly in love. But, suddenly, Sarah disappears and Sam goes to walk all over Los Angeles to find her.Although in substance, this film seems classic, it is one of the most ambitious films in terms of form, with a licked narrative that will surprise the viewer at the risk of perhaps losing him at times.
The journey to the heart of the mystery
It is obvious that we have before us a film of rare quality with a certain ambition on the part of its director.But it is important to put your finger on one point: Under The Silver Lake is a complex film that will walk you.Like Sam, we walk the streets and parties of Los Angeles discovering a new aspect of the city in each scene.Because yes, Sam's quest to find Sarah is a real trip to the city. A city that we may have already seen too much but that we discover this time with passion, as the universes described are new and original.
Sam, to find the girl he loves, follows her trail from evening to evening by meeting ever more crazy characters. Between Jesus and his somewhat strange rock band, the king of the homeless or a former movie star turned escort-girl, the film also makes us travel through its characters and unusual atmospheres.We discover them little by little as the city of Los Angeles which is sublimated by the lights used for the film. This cleverly used light perfectly highlights the emotions of the characters as well as the different settings. Many colors that allow to give a new vision of the city, a bit like La La Land had been able to do.
A quest at the end of the imagination
We discover in Under The Silver Lake an incredible quest that makes us travel, that scares us at times but above all makes us dream. With crazy scenery that follows one after the other but also with a quest that never seems to end. Like Alice in Wonderland, Sam is immersed in a universe that seems to escape him but which, in its dementia, ends up making sense. Sarah's search gradually turns into a search for truth on several aspects. A truth about the meaning of death, love and even the pop-culture that surrounds us with the appearance of an old composer who questions everything. Under The Silver Lake, although very complex, is a real mine of information and messages that must be seen but especially reviewed.
It is possible that you are lost in this puzzle that is Under the Silver Lake but what is certain is that this film will leave you something unique. By its script obviously but also by its realization and its actors.Andrew Garfield carries the film and shines in this role that only confirms his talent as an actor. The supporting roles are certainly less visible but just as good. We discover colorful characters that we believe in, despite this strange universe. Special mention to the old composer, certainly one of the most complex characters but also one of the most interesting!As for the direction of David Robert Mitchell, it is simply successful. He stages intelligent plans, certainly sometimes a little academic, but terribly effective. Note the perfect use of travellings that allow not only to walk in the whimsical universe specific to the film but also to highlight the city of Los Angeles.
It is impossible to talk about all aspects of the film as it is so complete and vast. The risk of spoiling you is present and Under The Silver Lake is above all a film that is discovered, that is lived fully. You have to be perfectly invested in it at the risk of missing the plot.It's a film that takes you out of your comfort zone, your understanding of the world, but sometimes it's these strange films that make us rediscover the world.Then run to see Under The Silver Lake, it's an experience that will shake you up but you won't soon forget.
