The Bride!

 

Score:  A-

Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal

Starring Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Penelope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard

Running time: 126 minutes

Rated R

Long Story Short:  The Bride! might feature the well-known Frankenstein monster, but this is a unique, well-made and terrifically entertaining movie.  I'm not sure there is a better acting duo than Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale right now, and they bring Frank and his Bride to wild, energetic life.  Set in the 1930s, with nods to the movies of the era, The Bride! mixes sci-fi, feminism, and good ol' adventure in rejuvenating ways.  Make sure to catch this while it's in theaters!

The Bride! is a brilliantly creative and stylish adventure movie that is both entertaining and well-made, with a big boost from its two phenomenal leads.  The movie is a Frankenstein spin-off, taking place in the 1930s, and I know very little about the literary or cinematic background of the character; fortunately, you really don't need to (perhaps you get even more out of this movie if you do - I've yet to look into it).  As the title states, Frankenstein's bride is really the main character here in a story that is a bit like Bonnie and Clyde.  Although the first part can be a bit confusing, this relatively straightforward setup becomes clear reasonably quickly.  Layered on top of it, adding interesting depth but not distracting from the main adventure, is, of course, the sci-fi of Frank and the Bride's reanimation plus occasional spiritual input - including by kicking off the whole thing - by Frankenstein author Mary Shelley.  There is also a direct theme of illustrating male violence against women, and pushing back hard against it.  So it might seem like there's a lot going on, and I guess there is, Gyllenhaal does a great job of integrating it together smoothly.  There are plenty of visceral thrills to go with the narrative, too.  The tension of the various chases is fine, but what I found particularly fun were the dance bits, including a big scene (Frank's a cinephile) and the creepy reanimation scenes as well as the ongoing physical details of having two lead characters be, well, dead people.

While the director and production teams created an impressive story and world in which to place it, the actors' performances are just as important to the movie's success.  Buckley, fresh off her Best Actress award for her stunning performance in Hamnet, shows her top-level talent again by taking on this completely different role.  It reminded me a little of Emma Stone's radical transformation in Poor Things but is not a mere copy (although just as well-done).  Buckley's Bride/Penelope/Ida is a bit of a blank slate because her memories were wiped when she is reanimated, so much of her personality and behavior is that of someone experiencing dance, danger, love, and more for the first time.  Her physical acting is most notable, including quick voice changes (she's possessed, off and on), but it's much more than just the surface.  Bale makes way for Buckley to shine as the lead, but he is also tremendous, as always.  His "Frank" is quite human in many ways - just a 100+ year old, weary, shy, but still able to be "brought to life" (and dryly funny) man.  He provides some crucial grounding for the more sensationalistic Bride character, although his own physical acting - and occasional temper - never lets you forget that he, too, is a monster.  Frank and the Bride's relationship is quite tumultuous, and very fun to watch develop, thanks to the performances as well as the writing.  It has its ups and downs like a human courtship - theirs are just a bit more severe.  As this adventure - not too long or short, and well-paced - comes to a conclusion, Gyllenhaal brings it all to a head; but while this can be a tired and repetitive part in other films, the story and the characters have earned this climax and it's a fitting end.

***

As part of my plan to expand my cinematic boundaries, I was excited to see The Bride! a (semi-) horror movie starring two of today's very best actors and directed by a new but real talent.  I noted its somewhat low Rotten Tomatoes score but didn't care, and didn't read any reviews until I started writing this paragraph.  Having now read snippets, there are certainly plenty of glowing reviews from critics, and even many of those who rate it lower still applaud its ambition and artistry.  The most frequent critique seems to be that it doesn't fit together well enough/too messy.  I can see where they're coming from, but I disagree.  Forget the Rotten Tomatoes score, though: it is shocking and very discouraging that this movie had bombed at the box office, making just $12 million in the U.S. so far ($22 million worldwide).  I fear that means this movie will not be playing in theaters much longer, but if it is still in yours, please go see it!!!  Please also be aware that there are several distressing scenes, but none are over the top or gratuitous - again, this is not a standard horror/gore/slasher flick.  Hollywood, please make more movies with this level of creativity and talented people!!  And audiences, don't miss out!! 

* By source, Warner Bros. Pictures - IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81164420