Personal Shopper (2017)
2017
R
105 Minutes
Maureen is a young American in Paris making her living as a personal shopper for a celebrity. Also, she may have the psychic ability to communicate with spirits, just like her twin brother, Lewis,...
User Review
-
Personal Shopper balances abstract themes to create a chilling story that conveys grief. Much like you and me, we read plenty of reviews that stated "slowest film ever" or "Kristen Stewart cannot act". Naturally I became apprehensive, however I am glad to report that those comments can be negated. This was absolutely terrific! A personal shopper to a highly prolific fashion icon attempts to reach out to her recently deceased twin brother. Determined to receive a message to signify his presence in the afterlife, she resides in his home but with unconventional results. This character piece was tantalisingly intense where the drama captivated me and the thrills remained electrifying. Portraying grief, sorrow, solitude and melancholia as one individual was a tricky task, but it works successfully on a multitude of levels. Her experiences with the supernatural dilutes her own identity, grieving is a powerful emotive experience that changes people. She, much like myself, is much like a closed book and retains her feelings which creates a cold barrier that surrounds her. Unresponsive, tranquil and impressionable, the character of Maureen was a beautiful incarnation of sadness. Bolstered by a career best performance from Stewart. I kid you not, one of the best performances I've seen and one that I shall remember for quite some time. Assayas' direction was technically perfect. Lovely long takes through the uninhabited house, the urban streets of Paris and fashionable apartments. Much like the garments, his style felt trendy and modern and I really admire that reciprocation. The tonal shifts between a contemporary drama and ghost story don't always work, and the scene transitions were simply uninspired which is a shame. But that text message exchange though! Utterly gripping, the most intense series of iMessages I've seen (and that's including my texts...). It even concludes ambiguously, which pretty much sums this unconventional taut drama up. Ambiguously sumptuous. If you like spoon fed narratives, then move along. The rest of you, dig in...immediately.1 member likes this review.
