A high concept idea that deserved a better storyteller than Olivia Wilde. An unsatisfying story saved only by an incredible performance from Florence Pugh and the excellent under-the-line creative team (cinematography, production design and costume design). The original screenplay by Shane and Carey Van Dyke had so much potential and the story would have been so much better as a prestige television series. Not to say it would not work as a movie, but at 2 hours long, Wilde and screenwriter Katie Silberman absolutely squandered the premise with shallow, badly written characters, mysteries for mystery sake that never made sense, and a messy narrative that rushed through its final act. Pugh did her best with what she was given and she was magnetic and absorbing despite all the stupid, unintelligent choices her character makes; Chris Pine also stood out for his smarmy take as the film’s main antagonist. But poor pretty Harry Styles was simply - desperately - trying to keep afloat in his (and Wilde’s?) vainglorious attempt to provide a sense of complexity and depth to this male lead. Lastly, a waste of Gemma Chan and Kiki Layne, as Wilde self-served by giving herself the supporting role. Maybe she should have focused on her directing duties for DWD just showed that “Booksmart” could have just been a fluke. Her directorial choices were cliched and trope-y, and really, rather incoherent. This film could have been so much more but thankfully it was at least gorgeous to look at.
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