A star is torn
Natalie Portman goes so far out there you almost can’t see her in a pitch dark — but exciting — drama
Words: Guy Lodge
film OF THE MONTH
VOX LUX 5/5
Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Jennifer Ehle, Raffey Cassidy, Daniel London
Whatever has made the film findustry so fascinated by the inner workings of women in the music business, we don’t know — but we approve. Brady Corbet’s (remember him from Mysterious Skin?) fascinating new film plays like the dark(er) lip side of A Star is Born: an unnerving psychological study of a young woman, rfiven with trauma after surviving a school shooting, who gets trapped in the pop machine. It’s somehow nfightmarish and euphoric at the same time. And it’s certainly a bold step for Natalie Portman, going out even further on a limb here, as a deranged performance addict, than in Black Swan. If you never thought you’d see her swaggering across a stage in a glittery bodysuit, belting out some origfinal electropop bangers by Sia, here’s the film to change all that. But it’s a film with something to say as well as to sing. 3 May