Beau Is Afraid

I completely understand if you hate this movie.................buuuuuuut I thought it was amazing. The first act is so tightly paced, hilarious, and anxiety inducing. The second act is a lot slower but keeps up the humour and feeling of anxiety throughout. As well as starting to branch off into the more surreal side of to the film. Then with the 3rd act just descending into sheer chaos. I couldn't point out a single bad performance but Phoenix steals the show, as usual. The score a great, cinematography is gorgeous, and the editing is fantastic. Ari Aster shows off his directing talent on full display here. It's definitely his most meticulously directed film to date. Along with being his most ambitious, funniest, and my personal favourite script from him. Even though, I could definitely see people argue that there should've been stuff cut from the film (i.e. the play scene). I personally don't agree with that. On first viewing I definitely felt the length of the film and would've agreed that the film needs trimming down. Yet after seeing it a handful of times since it's release, I genuinely don't think there's anything I would cut. Even with the play scene being so seemingly detached from the main plot at first, it really does reinforce some many points and messages within the film. Along with showing us a life Beau wishes he had, while also reinforcing the message of living your life for yourself and loving others. Not living your life for others because it's easier. Along with parts at Grace and Roger's house did get somewhat repetitive at times, I felt this helped communicate to us how Beau felt during this time. Yes, uncomfortable, unsure, afraid (of course), and strangely safe at times. Which I believe represents Beau's relationship with people controlling him and his life. Showing it's familiar, which can make you feel safe but pointing out how familiarity isn't always good. That's probably me digging way too deep into something that isn't there but that's nonetheless how I interpreted it. Due to this I personally would've have cut anything from the film, as I do believe it to be essential. The only thing I would say is potentially trimming the ending down a bit, like I don't think Beau sailing on the boat to the end scene needed to be as long as it was. Not that it was long but moments like that could've been trimmed down a bit to help keep the pace up without having to cut any of the important moments or more visually grabbing scenes. Even though I could completely understand why you might not enjoy this film, find it overly long, or might even hate it. I just personally don't feel that way. This film gripped me more than most films do. It kept me hooked while watching and is one of the few films that literally lives rent free in my head at all times. There's so much interesting subtext within the film. Tackling ideas of abusive parents, self worth, self hate, anxiety, paranoia, love, and guilt. Along with a lot of interesting subtext, the story is thrilling, tense, and hilarious. Ari Aster described this film as an anxiety or "nightmare comedy" and I think that describes this film perfectly. It's someone's worst nightmares and paranoia's seemingly coming to live but shown through the lens of a surrealist, absurdist, nightmare fueled, dark comedy. As I said, I understand if you hate this film but I genuinely think this film is near perfect and is Ari Asters best film by a long shot (nothing against Midsommar and Hereditary, both great but not quite this). Check this one of out if you haven't and/or give it another chance if you didn't like it the first time around.