Review: Unicorn Store

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We have what you need

Kit (Brie Larson) is a 20 something who has just failed out of art school because no one appreciates her childlike vision. She moves back in with her parents, (Joan Cusak and Bradley Whitford) and takes a temp job at an office to try to feel more adults. Then she receives an invitation to a store that "sells what you need." She meets the eccentric Salesman (Samuel L. Jackson) who says he can sell her what she's always wanted....a unicorn.

When this premiered at TIFF back in 2017 it got pretty lukewarm reviews and currently sits at a 5.0 on IMDb. But has a big fan of Brie Larson and a 31 year old woman who loves a good shimmer eye shadow, I was always going to see this no matter what the reviews said. 

I think the underwhelming consensus is wrong of course because Unicorn Store is an absolute delight of a film. Larson seems very comfortable behind the camera despite this being her first time directing. I suppose you could make an argument that some of the supporting characters falling flat, but that felt like the point to me. Kit is trying to fit in a dull world when she wishes she could be in a world full of glitter and color. And she can, but she doesn't know how to find that yet. She's not exactly coming of age, but she's coming into a balance of sorts.

Brie is great of course, as is Samuel L. Jackson in his small role, but there are two other supporting characters that I think are wonderful as well. Karan Soni (Who was hilarious in Miracle Workers) who plays her old friend and somewhat nemesis Kevin, and the more prominent Virgil (Mamoudou Athie, who was the standout in The Front Runner) who plays the man she enlists to help build a stable for her unicorn. I especially loved the chemistry Athie and Larson had together.

The plot is outlandish enough to where the ending could go a few different ways, and I think the note it ended on was lovely. Netflix has really been getting me with these lighter films. I feel similarly to this as I do Dumplin', I just adore it. 

Recommended: Yes

Grade: A-

Memorable Quote: "Don't you just want to jump into that screen and hug the shit out of your own precious pink unicorn? - The Salesman (Samuel L. Jackson)

Comments

  1. GetterApril 6, 2019 at 10:38 AM

    I saw rating for this be SUPER high and then I saw the IMDb score, and now I'm confused. I'm not a Larson fan, where will I fall, high rating or IMDb?

    ReplyDelete
  2. thevoid99April 6, 2019 at 3:56 PM

    I do want to see this. It looks so charming and fun. I want to give it a chance. I like Brie Larson.

    ReplyDelete
  3. GeektellerApril 7, 2019 at 4:05 AM

    This sounds fun and light. I'm saving this for chilly evenings....or after viewings of Ted Bundy documentaries :) Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sonia CercaApril 7, 2019 at 7:59 AM

    I watched this today and I wasn't crazy about it. The performances are great and I loved the visual aspect, but the characters and the story didn't really work for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 7, 2019 at 10:04 AM

      Aww that's too bad. They're definitely not the most fleshed out but I really liked it for what it was.

      Delete
  5. s.April 7, 2019 at 11:49 PM

    This looks so cute but I didnt find the time for it yet. I think imdb score is thanks to moronic incels who downvote it only because of Larson

    ReplyDelete
  6. Often Off TopicApril 8, 2019 at 7:24 AM

    Yes! I've been dying to see this movie for so long and then it dropped on Netflix with no warning whatsoever. I can see why it's not widely loved but it worked perfectly for me. Just the right kind of weird, and Larson and Jackson work so well together <3

    ReplyDelete
  7. Courtney YoungApril 9, 2019 at 9:22 AM

    Unfortunately, I didn't vibe with this one as much as you did. However, I was watching it while doing other things, so I'd zone in and be totally confused at what was going on. It's a very pretty film, but (from what I watched) the supporting characters kind of lacked depth. I don't know. Maybe I'll re-watch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 9, 2019 at 7:30 PM

      You should definitely give it a re-watch. I can see how this would be super weird to go in and out of.

      Delete
  8. keith71_98April 9, 2019 at 10:14 AM

    I haven't put out a review yet, but I gotta say I think I agree with you. There is such a sweet, whimsical flavor to this movie that I kinda fell for.

    ReplyDelete
  9. KatyApril 10, 2019 at 12:01 AM

    Wonderful review! Just finished watching this, and thought it was an absolute delight. I can't think enough good things about this except I want a real unicorn, the unicorn metaphor, her clothes, and Samuel L Jackson was my fairy godfather. lol

    ReplyDelete
  10. m.brownApril 11, 2019 at 11:07 AM

    Okay, fine. I'm in. I dig BL and SLJ is my f--king hero, so why not?

    ReplyDelete

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