Review: “Don’t Worry Darling” is lackluster compared to the drama surrounding it
Review: Review: "Don't Worry Darling"
Auditorium 13 at Regal Destiny USA had the energy of a concert right before a pop star took the stage. Except for this time, Harry Styles would be taking to the screen.
As the WB logo teased the start of the movie, a girl began chanting âHarry, Harry, Harryâ until her giggling friends shushed her.
Styleâs role as the leading man, Jack, surely contributed to the full theater on Thursdayâs opening night, but the drama surrounding Donât Worry Darling has had moviegoers wondering if the film could possibly be more captivating than whatâs happening off-screen. Olivia Wildeâs second time in the directorâs chair has been the source of memes and juicy gossip for monthsâ From the disastrous premiere at Venice Film Festival to the rumored relationship between Styles and Wilde.
Like the spectacle behind the scenes, the film itself is entertaining but ultimately forgettable. Florence Pugh gave it her all as Alice, a young woman who lives in a 1950s-style utopia called Victory with her husband, Jack. Her performance was convincing as a housewife who begins to question her own reality after a series of surreal incidents, but even she couldnât save the film from its awkward dialogue and laughable dramatic scenes.
Seriously, thereâs a scene where Harry Styles tap dances for what feels like 10 minutes. It was embarrassing both for him and all witnessing it. A strong contender for worst line goes to âIsnât that what you Brits say? Keep Calm and Carry On?â said by Dr. Collins (Timothy Simons).
Visually, the film is beautiful with pastel colors and fun vintage fashion. The strong aesthetic helps to create the same immersion for the viewer that Alice feels in Victory. It is also a fun contrast to the film’s sinister tone.
In interviews leading up to the film, Wilde discussed her desire to show true female pleasure on screen. Pugh said she didnât want her performance to be reduced to sex scenes with her ultra-famous co-star. The internet was abuzz when the trailer dropped, showing Styles going down on Pugh upon a kitchen table. With so much controversy, one might expect to leave the film feelingâŠaroused. The sex scenes were not the feminist triumph Wilde intended â they lacked the sensualness needed to please the female gaze.
Itâs tempting to recommend saving the cash and waiting until Donât Worry Darling hits streaming, but part of the fun might come from seeing it in theaters. Its â50s style charm begs to be seen on a big screen, and watching it at home could leave too much temptation to turn it off halfway through. If thatâs the case, donât worry darling; youâre not missing much.
