Review: Last Night In Soho
Eloise (Thomasin Mackenzie) is a small town girl headed to London to study at a fashion school. She has a gift that allows her to see into the past, mainly her mother. But when she arrives in London, she's suddenly struck with visions of an aspiring singer, Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy) who lived in the same building during the 60's.
Edgar Wright is a very stylish filmmaker and that style is definitely here in Last Night In Soho. The costume and production design is stunning and easily one of the highlights of the film. (aside from the actresses) It's beautiful on the outside, but there's so much ugliness underneath. I thought the film captured the creepy feeling of being a woman alone in a new city well. The comments some of the men make towards Eloise are scary, even though they think they're simply innocuous.
Thomasin is wonderful as the lead. She's very meek and it's easy to see how she would feel so overwhelmed. Anya's singing voice is lovely and I truly felt for Sandie as well. Another character I really liked was John (Michael Ajao) who is
Eloise's classmate and semi love interest. He's a unicorn among men. To the point where it's pretty unrealistic. He never judges Eloise and wants to help her, which I loved about him, but at the same time I cannot imagine anyone putting up with the things he does. He's put in one of the scariest situations in the entire film and doesn't even bat an eyelash at it. You can't help but notice.
The film lost me a little when it went full ghost story because I felt like we were just getting scene after scene of Eloise running from her visions. It became very repetitive and frustrating. I had read others had issues with the ending, and while it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting, there's definitely a huge disconnect from the first half of the film.
Over all, I think this is a huge step up from Wright's last film, Baby Driver. While not perfect, I enjoyed myself.
Recommended: Yes
Grade: B
Memorable Quote: "What's the most?" - Eloise (Thomasin Mackenzie)
I do want to see this as I am a fan of Edgar Wright and the two leads but also for the fact that it's a tribute to British cinema as Wright got some of the best in Rita Tushingham (who plays McKenzie's grandmother), Terence Stamp, and Dame Diana Rigg (in her final film role as the landlady) whom the film is dedicated to. Plus, I did hear the Phelps twins from the Harry Potter movies appear as during the shooting of a scene in the film. Both McKenzie and Taylor-Joy were rehearsing in how to mimic their movements as there were 2 men behind them and they noticed who they are and screamed like fangirls. Oh, that is so adorable.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look that up about the Phelps twins! I didn't notice them.
DeleteNice review! I feel like the first half doesn't live up to the second in most of Edgar's movies. Baby Driver being one of them. This sounds like it suffers from the same issue but at least it's better. lol
ReplyDeleteI even liked the second half more than all of Baby Driver lol
DeleteI even liked the second half more than all of Baby Driver lol
DeleteI have seen the trailers for this film and I don’t think they know how to promote it. They started as a mystery murder to a horror film. I want to see it as it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, the first trailer was so good. They should've stuck with it.
DeleteShort and sweet review. I think we are on the same page with Last Night in Soho. I invite you to check our review: www.cineit.blog
ReplyDelete