ARTS & POP CULTURE

tuftsdaily.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

Weekender: ‘don’t Worry darling’ is intriguing, disturbing and potentially pugh’s best career performance

by Ryan Fairfield

Staff Writer

From critics’ early reviews to Harry Styles “spitting” on Chris Pine at the premiere, “Don’t Worry Darling” (2022) is a film that seems to be everywhere, despite not having its theatrical release until Sept. 23. With a plethora of rumors of drama on set and Styles’ fans desperate to see their favorite artist in his latest film, it comes as no surprise that the “Don’t Worry Darling: The Live IMAX Experience,” which occurred on Sept. 19 in 21 locations, sold out within 24 hours. At the AMC Boston Common 19, the theater was packed at the 7:30 p.m. Monday screening, everyone eager to see what might be the most talked-about movie of the year.

A psychological thriller directed by Olivia Wilde, with a screenplay co-written by Katie Silberman, who previously worked with Wilde on the critically-acclaimed “Booksmart” (2019), “Don’t Worry Darling” follows Jack (Harry Styles) and Alice (Florence Pugh) as they live out their married life in a seemingly perfect utopia. This utopia, known as Victory, is an idyllic 1950s town where everything fits together like a puzzle and nothing is out of place. The men work at the Victory Project, lead by Frank (Chris Pine), while the women stay at home attending to household duties and spending time socializing with one another.

Early on in the film, it is clear Alice does not belong or feel comfortable among the women of Victory. In her ballet class with many of the wives of the town, everyone dances with a smile on their face and a certain energy in their movement. Alice does not. She seems stiff, has a very unenthusiastic expression and does not move in sync with the other women, prompting Shelley (Gemma Chan), who is married to Frank, making them essentially the president and first lady of the town, to correct her dancing.

In a later scene at Frank and Shelley’s home where they are celebrating a new couple moving to Victory, another citizen, Margaret (KiKi Layne) has a sudden outburst. Margaret says that the citizens should not be in Victory, to which all the other members of the town seem shocked and concerned. Margaret is quickly whisked away from the crowd by her husband, only for Alice to bump into her moments later. While sitting with her husband, Margaret sees Alice

see DARLING, page 6

COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine and Olivia Wilde are pictured (from top left to bottom right).

‘only murders in the building’ returns for a killer second season

by Nate Hall

Assistant Arts Editor

Just under a year after its critically acclaimed first season, “Only Murders in the Building” (2021–) returned with a new murder mystery this summer. With a superbly talented cast led by Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez, the Hulu original continues to entertain audiences with an impressive blend of comedy and mystery.

In the first season, television actor Charles-Haden Savage (Martin), Broadway director Oliver Putnam (Short) and young artist Mabel Mora (Gomez) team up to create a true-crime podcast after a mysterious death in their Upper West Side apartment building. Despite their differences, the socially awkward Charles, self-absorbed Oliver and mysterious Mabel form an unlikely bond. The season 1 finale provides a setup for this year’s story, as the building’s board president, Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell), is murdered and the three amateur sleuths find themselves accused of the crime.

As with any show coming off a successful first season, “Only Murders” faces the challenge of living up to the success of its first season. Season 1 established the chemistry and comedic talents of the series’ leads, along with a well-constructed whodunnit set against a vibrant New York backdrop. Despite the story’s high stakes, the show never takes itself too seriously, with meta jokes about the difficulty of pulling off a highly anticipated sequel.

Co-created by Steve Martin, “Only Murders” pokes fun at the public’s obsession with true crime as the three leads attempt to solve the murders taking place in their building, reporting their findings as they go on their podcast, also called “Only Murders in the Building.” The building in question is the Arconia, a fictional Manhattan complex where most of the series’ events take place. The interior of the luxurious building is intricately designed, with stylish apartments that complement the characters’ personalities. The costumes, too, are colorful and eye-catching, allowing the characters to stand out amid the fast-paced world around them.

Of course, the show would be nothing without its cast. Comedy legends Martin and Short find moments of humor in every scene, and Gomez balances them out with impressive deadpan delivery. The show’s universe is populated by eccentric supporting characters, many of them played by talented comedic actors like Tina Fey, Jane Lynch and Nathan Lane (who recently earned his first Primetime Emmy for his guest performance in season 1). Several compelling new characters are introduced in season 2, including Alice Banks (Cara Delevingne), a love interest for Mabel, and Nina Lin (Christine Ko), the Arconia’s new board president.

The show’s dialogue is sharper than ever, especially in conversations between Charles and Oliver that allow the veteran actors to show off their physicality and comedic timing. The show’s cross-generational humor is improved from season 1, as the writers find new ways to highlight the cultural differences between Mabel and her elderly neighbors. Season 2 dives deeper into the lives of the show’s protagonists, too, and we learn more about their families, their histories and their relationships with each other. We even get a peek into the personal lives of some supporting characters, like murder victim Bunny Folger and cat lover Howard Morris, in moments that expand the world of the show. If anything, this season spends a little too much time on character studies, forcing viewers to recall where they left off in the ongoing murder mystery. Nevertheless, season 2 presents a whodunnit that allows viewers to speculate along with the characters as they come closer to identifying Bunny’s killer.

One of the highlights of “Only Murders” is its music, composed by Siddhartha Khosla. Khosla’s music matches the whimsical vibes of the series, while more dramatic moments are scored with suspense. The show has one of the catchiest theme songs on TV, and the intro is always fun to watch, with hidden clues that point to future reveals in the story.

Although season 2 at times strayed away from the mystery at the heart of its story, the last few episodes are full of twists and turns that will leave viewers waiting for the big reveal. The payoff comes in the season finale, culminating with an unexpected twist that’s truly worth the wait. And just like in season 1, the final episode provides a setup for next season, making opening night of Oliver’s new Broadway play the scene of the crime and his lead actor (Paul Rudd) the victim. The real crime of “Only Murders” is making us wait until next year to find out what happens next.

‘butterfly’ 25 years later: When mariah Carey finally got her wings

by Jack Clohisy

Executive Arts Editor

Celebrating the Sept. 16 drop of “Butterfly: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition” — the quarter-century jubilee of Mariah Carey’s sixth studio album “Butterfly” (1997) — the Daily dives into the impact and legacy of Carey’s favorite project.

The sensation that is Mariah Carey began in the early ‘90s with her smash debut record “Mariah Carey” (1990) in which she earned her first four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Aided by the release of her lead single, the title track for her sophomore album “Emotions” (1991) also hit No. 1, and Carey became the first and only artist to have their first five proper singles reach No. 1 on the chart. Success would only continue to follow Carey with her next three projects: “Music Box” (1993), “Merry Christmas” (1994) and “Daydream” (1995). “Fantasy,” a single from “Daydream” became the first song by a female artist, and just the second song ever, to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100.

In addition to two Grammys earned up to this point in her career, one could argue Carey had already achieved more from her first five studio albums (spanning only five years) compared to what other popular artists had achieved in their lifetime. With the impending release of her sixth effort, “Butterfly,” Carey’s legacy would only continue to grow.

“Honey,” the lead single from “Butterfly” became Carey’s third No. 1 debut on the Hot 100, making Carey the artist with the most No. 1 debuts — a record that held for nearly 23 years until 2020.

Arguably her most R&B album to date, “Butterfly” was the renaissance of Carey’s production prowess. “‘Honey’ was the first time I felt I had full creative license in making a video,” Carey wrote in her memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey” (2020). Carey has since opened up about the control she felt under her former husband, who up until this point in her career was working for Sony Music, the music company that owned Carey’s label at the time.

Outside of the album’s most successful singles, more tracks emerged as fan favorites such as “The Roof (Back In Time).” For the 25th anniversary album of “Butterfly,” Carey released a new recording of the track featuring Brandy for her fans, similarly titled “The Roof (When I Feel the Need).”

Since the release of “Butterfly,” Carey has adorned the insect as a symbol of her brand. Anything from jewelry to apparel, it seems as though Carey’s fans, the “Lambs,” are in a perpetual “Butterfly” era no matter her most recent release.

It must come as a relief for Carey, who throughout her childhood and early career was plagued with adversity at home and in the public eye, that “Butterfly” allowed her to step into her most authentic self. Carey details the pain of her relationship with her mother in her “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” as well as her tumultuous relationship with ex-husband Tommy Mottola. She even went on to describe this period of her life with Mottola to Cosmopolitan magazine: “There was no freedom for me as a human being. It was almost like being a prisoner.”

Even past the release of “Butterfly,” audiences saw a disruption in Carey’s career and personal life as she was pressured to seek professional psychiatric help in the early 2000s as the constant flux of stress from a life in the limelight weighed down on her. However, despite the challenges Carey faced at different points in her career, the bits of light that emerged from these times, such as the “Butterfly” era, kept Carey connected with fans.

Now, as the 25th anniversary of “Butterfly” is upon us in 2022, there is so much left for Carey to accomplish.

COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Mariah Carey is pictured wearing a butterfly ring. “Butterfly” yielded Carey two No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 toward her total of 19. With just one more chart-topper, Carey could tie the Beatles as the artist with the most No. 1 hits on the Hot 100, and what a better way to stick it to all those who dragged her down over the years than to come out on top. “Butterfly” (2022), a testament to metamorphosis and rebirth, is symbolic of the growth Carey has endured over the past three decades which led her to the legend that she is today. With a discography as good as Carey’s, “Butterfly” (2022) is just another example of her magna opera (yes, Carey is allowed to have more than one magnum opus).

Only one aspect of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ is out of Styles, and it’s not Pugh

DARLING

continued from page 5 and makes comments implying that Victory is not what it seems and there is something wrong with this perfect town. This is the first crack in the glass that will eventually result in Alice further investigating Victory and the Victory Project.

Alice’s doubts about the truth behind the Victory Project and a plane sighting over the town prompt her to leave Victory and explore outside the town lines, the one rule all the women are supposed to follow. Alice’s deviation from Victory law is revealed to her fellow citizens in a riveting dinner scene. Prior to the dinner scene, Frank confronts Alice about her transgression and says how he’s been waiting for someone to challenge him, which ignites a fire in Alice. The dinner begins with Alice sliding into a seat at the head of the table, a seat which was intended for Jack. With Alice at one end and Frank at the other, the visual reflects these two characters’ relationship — the two are opposites, enemies, but also equals in this moment.

In this scene, Alice poses a question to Jack and the fellow members of the community, a question that many viewers also have at this point in the film, “Do you even know what the Victory Project actually is?” Alice’s rapid-fire questions attempt to sow seeds of doubt about Victory in her neighbors but ultimately result in them thinking she is insane and leaving her home where she is left only with Jack, who now is also questioning her stability and intentions.

The twists in this film are executed with precision. Every plot twist, every time Alice chips away at the illusion of this utopia comes at the perfect time and leaves the viewer on the edge of their seat desperately waiting to find out what happens next. Nothing is as it seems in Victory and “Don’t Worry Darling” ensures that just as Alice is questioning the truth behind Victory, the viewers are questioning right alongside her.

“Don’t Worry Darling” is Alice’s film and Pugh delivers a remarkable performance. Alice’s doubts about Victory do not come suddenly. From the beginning of the film, it’s clear she has never fit in there. Pugh flawlessly captures the slow burn from uncertainty to full knowing that Victory is not the place everyone perceives it to be. She is the shining star of this film and it rivals her performance in “Midsommar” (2019) as potentially the best performance of her career thus far.

Of course, one cannot talk about Alice without talking about Styles. Styles’ acting in this film is mediocre. His performance stands out, not due to talent, but because, starring alongside an Academy Award nominee and an ensemble cast of some of the best, most well-known actors, it becomes even more clear he is out of his element. Styles’ performance feels like something out of a CW show. Emphasized by the countless giggles from the crowd at the AMC whenever Styles had a serious scene, his acting was most definitely distracting and slightly cringey.

The ensemble cast is strong. Unlike Styles, their performances are not off-putting and they contribute to the overall sense of unison among the community members. Chan masterfully embodies her character’s sense of strength and pride that is similar to that of Frank, just more toned down. Pine truly makes the audience fear him with his character’s role as corrupt overlord, while also making them admire his character’s ability to manipulate. Wilde, finally, portrays this perfect citizen who loves her town, making viewers despise her for her treatment of Alice when she goes to Bunny for help. Wilde executes her character’s arc perfectly and when the truth is revealed about her character at the end of the film, leaves viewers shocked and also somewhat sad.

Additionally, Wilde’s directing deserves applause. Every shot feels organic and brings the audience further into the world of Victory. It is clear that Wilde meticulously thought about every shot, every angle, every movement of the camera and her work paid off. Wilde’s decision not to play Alice, which was her original plan, proved to be the right choice because it not only allowed for Pugh’s exceptional performance but also allowed her to put more of her own time into directing.

As mentioned in Wilde’s interview prior to the screening of the film, “Don’t Worry Darling” is a film that should be seen in theaters and especially IMAX if given that opportunity. IMAX, which prides itself on immersive movie experiences, contributed greatly to the theatrical experience. The ability to feel every crystal clear sound and allow yourself to get lost in the vibrant, detailed shots makes the experience of watching the film all the better. From the sizzling of bacon in the cooking scenes to the rumble of the planes that soar above Victory, the pristine sound quality that IMAX provides allows audiences to truly feel like they are living “Don’t Worry Darling” as opposed to just watching it.

In terms of story, the film is successful in providing commentary on gender roles within family and married life as well as highlighting the dangers of male manipulation. Scenes where Jack and Frank attempt to gaslight Alice into thinking she is crazy for doubting the Victory Project illustrate their desperate desire for control and, though set in a fictional 1950s town, has a sense of familiarity. An abundance of films have tackled the idea of men attempting to control women, but what makes “Don’t Worry Darling” stand out is that up until the end of the film, the audience does not understand just how twisted these men are, especially Jack.

Despite some early critics’ opinions, likely influenced by the abundance of rumors surrounding the film and the cast, “Don’t Worry Darling” is impressive and gripping. There is a certain level of predictability to the film, however, there are many twists that catch the audience off-guard and make the over-two-hour film worthwhile. The stellar performances from a majority of the cast, Styles not included, are captivating and each actor captures the complexities of their character with ease.

Though much of this review praises Wilde, she fell short in the marketing aspect of this movie with her talk of the sexual aspects of it, which actually become somewhat disturbing after the truth about Victory is revealed. This is not the sexual film about “female pleasure” that Wilde described, but rather one about male manipulation at the expense of women. Many questions remain unanswered at the end of the film, which may be Wilde’s and Silberman’s intention; even so, the lack of closure and explanation seems too much — there needs to be some tying up of loose ends. With an outstanding ensemble, fantastic performance from Pugh and an overall great, immersive film, “Don’t Worry Darling” is a must-watch, though it might be hard to ignore Styles’ mediocre acting at times.