'Saltburn' Is Weird

Karsten Runquist
15 Nov 202308:27
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the reviewer shares their thoughts on 'Saltburn,' the latest movie by Emerald Fennell, starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, and Rosamund Pike. Set in 2006 with a 4x3 aspect ratio, the film explores the lives of rich individuals through the eyes of a dweeby Oxford student, Oliver, as he gets entangled in a homoerotic and thrilling summer at an extravagant estate. While appreciating the performances, soundtrack, and some aspects of the writing, the reviewer critiques the film's attempt at being edgy and its lack of commitment to its themes, leaving them unsatisfied despite its potential. The video concludes with a promotion for Squarespace, highlighting its website-building features.

Takeaways
  • 😀 The video is a review of the movie Saltburn directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan
  • 😕 The reviewer had low expectations going in but found the movie more compelling than expected at first
  • 🎥 Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan give strong performances, especially Keoghan in a leading role
  • 😠 However, the tone of the film is inconsistent and tries too hard to be shocking without earning it
  • 🎞️ The 4:3 aspect ratio is an odd choice that limits the viewing experience
  • 😕 The big plot twist at the end falls flat and feels unsatisfying
  • 🤔 The script has interesting ideas but the execution from Fennell as director falls short
  • 🙄 The 'shocking' scenes come off as forced and don't mesh well with the rest of the film
  • 😒 Overall a frustrating viewing experience that had potential but ultimately disappoints
  • 😕 The reviewer does not recommend watching Saltburn despite some standout elements
Q & A
  • What genre of film is Saltburn?

    -Saltburn is an erotic thriller.

  • Who are the main stars of the film?

    -The main stars are Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, and Rosemont Pike.

  • What time period is the film set in?

    -Saltburn is set in 2006.

  • What does the author think of Emerald Fennell's screenwriting abilities?

    -The author believes Emerald Fennell is an undeniably talented screenwriter, as evidenced by her work on Promising Young Woman and Saltburn.

  • Why does the author think the ending falls flat?

    -The author feels the ending reveal is not as shocking or mind-blowing as the film thinks it is. Also, the character motivations are unclear throughout, making the ending feel unsatisfying.

  • What does the author think of the performances?

    -The author states that despite frustrations with the film, every performance is pretty stellar.

  • What is the main frustration the author has with the film?

    -The main frustration is that the film tries too hard to be edgy and shocking without properly setting up or earning those moments.

  • Why does the author dislike the 4:3 aspect ratio choice?

    -The author wants to see more of the beautiful settings and feels the ratio choice is more limiting than intentionally claustrophobic.

  • Does the author think a rewatch would improve their opinion?

    -No, the author feels a rewatch would not do the film any favors.

  • What is the overall opinion on the film?

    -While not a terrible film, the author walked away very unsatisfied and disappointed due to frustrations with the plot and tone.

Outlines
00:00
🎥 Overview and initial thoughts on the film Saltburn

The paragraph provides an overview and initial thoughts on the film Saltburn. It talks about the cast, director, genre, aspect ratio, time period, music, and initial skepticism about the film's quality. The narrator finds the film fairly unpredictable and intriguing but has some issues with the execution and tone.

05:01
❌ Issues with the film's shocking scenes and ending

The paragraph critiques some of the film's attempts at having shocking or thrilling scenes. A specific gross-out scene with the main character is discussed as well as the reveal at the ending. The narrator finds these scenes to be awkward, absurd, unnecessary and not having the intended effect.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡erotic thriller
An erotic thriller is a genre that combines elements of a thriller with eroticism and sexuality. In this video review, the narrator refers to Saltburn as an erotic thriller several times. The movie contains thriller elements like twists and turns in the plot along with erotic scenes involving the lead actors Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi. The narrator questions whether Saltburn fully commits to the erotic and thrilling elements of this genre.
💡4x3 aspect ratio
The 4x3 aspect ratio refers to a more square-shaped film framing compared to the widescreen format. The narrator complains that this retro choice for Saltburn is limiting and prevents the viewer from fully seeing the beautiful interiors and landscapes. He thinks the vintage look is a forced stylistic choice rather than serving an artistic purpose.
💡shocking scenes
The narrator refers to three shocking scenes in Saltburn that are meant to surprise and disturb the audience through transgressive acts by Barry Keoghan's character. He finds the first shocking bathtub scene effective but thinks the latter two scenes feel gratuitous and absurd within the film's overall tone.
💡ending
The narrator finds the climactic ending and big reveal of Saltburn to be underwhelming and unsatisfying. He thinks it relies too much on a twist that doesn't feel earned based on the inconsistent characterization and motivations earlier in the film.
💡Barry Keoghan
Irish actor Barry Keoghan plays the lead role in Saltburn. The narrator praises his performance and loves seeing him take on a starring role. However, he finds the characterization inconsistent, especially when it comes to the shocking scenes.
💡Emerald Fennell
Emerald Fennell wrote and directed Saltburn. The narrator compliments her skills as a screenwriter but thinks her directorial abilities fall short in this film, especially when it comes to tone and earning the shocking moments.
💡predictability
The narrator found Saltburn's plot twists made it more unpredictable than he was expecting based on the marketing. However, he thinks the ending is predictable once you know the big reveal.
💡privileged people
The movie focuses on the lives of wealthy, privileged people. However, the narrator doesn't think it fully delivers on critiquing or satirizing the upper class like it wants to.
💡tone
The narrator finds the tone of Saltburn to be inconsistent. It shifts jarringly between scenes aiming for different vibes like eroticism, black comedy, and social satire without fully committing to any one tone.
💡dissatisfying
Despite strong elements like the performances and music, the narrator ultimately found Saltburn to be a frustrating and dissatisfying viewing experience due to the issues with tone, shock value, and an underwhelming ending.
Highlights

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Transcripts
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