I SAW THE TV GLOW (2024) MAX. Jane Shoenbrun's evocative drama shares a fascination with pre-streaming television alongside such recent films as SKINAMARINK and LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL - in particular, how the luminous lighting, the Glow, emits from a tiny box and shines brightly upon those who gaze upon it. Further, the films emphasize that you had to watch programming at a fixed place and not some portable device you could carry anywhere. Here, even the scenes not involving a TV set seem to cast a certain radiance.
Shoenbrun's vision is uniquely its own. A cult TV show called The Pink Opaque bonds two awkward high school students, Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine). The program, sort of a cross between BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, X-FILES and ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, centers on two young girls who have a mysterious connection that helps them fight supernatural monsters. There may not be any physical monsters for Owen and Maddy, but they face grappling with adolescence, sexual identity and, even, mortality.
Weighty and ambitious, Schoenbrun (who is non-binary) doesn't shrink from the challenge. The movie also takes place over an extended period of time which highlights the sub-theme of how memory warps and distorts one's perception over the years. The writer-director fully embraces it. What sets it apart from other coming of age films is how it embraces its own enigmas. Audiences are expected to fill in the gaps and explore its themes just as its characters do. Eric Yue's photography (on 35mm film), Brandon Tonner-Conolly's Production Design and Alex G's music all help create the rich, enveloping mood. There are nods to David Lynch and, in particular, David Cronenberg. The high school's acronym is VCR, which is an appropriate tough.
Such a work comes almost inherently with flaws. The last act drags on too long underlining things that are already apparent. The young actors are very good, but when Lundy-Paine's Maddy disappears for long stretches the absence is felt - their dynamic drives the tension. These are minor points that shouldn't detract from the whole.
I SAW THE TV GLOW is a daunting original vision. One worth exploring, not to mention bookmarking Shoenbrun as a Director to watch.
I SAW THE TV GLOW is currently streaming on Max, and is available to rent. It's on Blu Ray direct from A24.
Shoenbrun's vision is uniquely its own. A cult TV show called The Pink Opaque bonds two awkward high school students, Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine). The program, sort of a cross between BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, X-FILES and ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, centers on two young girls who have a mysterious connection that helps them fight supernatural monsters. There may not be any physical monsters for Owen and Maddy, but they face grappling with adolescence, sexual identity and, even, mortality.
Weighty and ambitious, Schoenbrun (who is non-binary) doesn't shrink from the challenge. The movie also takes place over an extended period of time which highlights the sub-theme of how memory warps and distorts one's perception over the years. The writer-director fully embraces it. What sets it apart from other coming of age films is how it embraces its own enigmas. Audiences are expected to fill in the gaps and explore its themes just as its characters do. Eric Yue's photography (on 35mm film), Brandon Tonner-Conolly's Production Design and Alex G's music all help create the rich, enveloping mood. There are nods to David Lynch and, in particular, David Cronenberg. The high school's acronym is VCR, which is an appropriate tough.
Such a work comes almost inherently with flaws. The last act drags on too long underlining things that are already apparent. The young actors are very good, but when Lundy-Paine's Maddy disappears for long stretches the absence is felt - their dynamic drives the tension. These are minor points that shouldn't detract from the whole.
I SAW THE TV GLOW is a daunting original vision. One worth exploring, not to mention bookmarking Shoenbrun as a Director to watch.
I SAW THE TV GLOW is currently streaming on Max, and is available to rent. It's on Blu Ray direct from A24.