As someone who has navigated my fair share of life’s twists and turns, I must confess that “The Front Room” left me with a peculiar mix of amusement and discomfort. The film’s portrayal of aging, particularly through Kathryn Hunter’s powerhouse performance as Solange, is undeniably gripping. Her character, with her chewy drawl and unapologetic bladder issues, is a sight to behold, even if she does leave a trail of… well, let’s just say ‘unpleasantness.’
In due time, it’s inevitable that we’ll encounter the inconveniences of aging, as they gradually creep into our bodies, ruthlessly affecting things we once considered normal, such as good health and strong teeth. The movie “The Front Room,” co-written by debutant directors Max and Sam Eggers (who are brothers to Robert Eggers, a renowned modern horror director with whom Max worked on “The Lighthouse”), might only be bearable if you find aging-related challenges, like incontinence, amusing or scary. If not, apart from the powerful performance of Kathryn Hunter, who was nominated for an Oscar for “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” most of this visually appealing but dull film may leave you indifferent
Slouched, disoriented, and speaking with a distinct drawl, Hunter subtly manipulates the character of Solange, who stealthily intrudes, not into someone’s physical form (contrary to recurring hints, “The Front Room” does not revolve around possession in a supernatural horror context), but rather into the home of her stepson Norman (Andrew Burnap) and his heavily pregnant wife Belinda (convincingly portrayed by Brandy Norwood). With a certificate from the Daughters of the Confederacy and repeated derogatory remarks directed at Belinda, Solange clearly exhibits racist tendencies. However, what ultimately unsettles the young couple most about this deeply religious elderly woman is not so much her repugnant views, but her lack of control over her bladder and bowel functions
It’s possible they make a valid argument, given that Solange’s waste frequently contaminates different areas of their home, and the filmmakers don’t shy away from depicting this. The smears are ubiquitous, even found on Belinda’s hands, phone, and clothes. In one instance, she persists in wearing a soiled shirt for an excessive duration, a choice that seems intentional to emphasize the film’s focus on the grotesque. (This decision, which prolongs her wearing the dirty shirt, appears deliberate and serves to underscore the film’s emphasis on disgusting imagery.)
As a cinema enthusiast, I often find myself pondering about a character like Solange in the movie. You might wonder why they don’t place her in an appropriate institution? Well, that’s the bargain Solange makes: she stays with them during the last phase of her life, and upon her passing, her substantial inheritance will be theirs. The couple could certainly benefit from such a windfall. Their old house, adorned with peeling wallpaper and sparse furniture, is in dire need of renovation, as skillfully portrayed by set decorator Lauren Crawford and production designer Mary Lena Colston. Moreover, Belinda, the anthropology professor, faces a similar predicament in her career, given the unforgiving nature of her field that often overlooks the most deserving. Understanding these circumstances, it seems reasonable for them to tolerate any temporary disruptions or religious fanaticism brought by Solange into their peaceful home life
However, Belinda found herself in a predicament far greater than she initially anticipated. This was largely due to her husband’s cowardice, who frequently abandoned her, leaving her to handle the challenging Solange on her own. Solange, with her incontinence announcements of “M-E-double-S” or ear-piercing whistles, and her two canes that tapped around the house like the legs of a many-legged insect, was particularly bothersome. Remarkably, Hunter excels at portraying Solange’s slimy physical and auditory traits with remarkable specificity and agility
But the film is often too juvenile and shallow, even offensive, to deserve her ambitious presence. Yes, there is a reason that the subgenre is called “hagsploitation,” which that can also be used for recent and far superior films like “X” and “Barbarian.” Here, the label gives creators the permission to exploit our inner fears of what might physically and mentally become of us (as women) in the later chapters of our lives. The problem is, “The Front Room” doesn’t do anything shrewd with this concept, settling eventually for churning our stomachs only.
Although The Front Room is filled with suggestions of a horror theme throughout its duration, as well as in its promotional materials, it fails to deliver the genuine fear that one would expect from a true horror movie. In essence, the film falls short in terms of generating actual scares, and while it attempts to connect with the horror genre by making casual references to classic works, these attempts are rather unimaginative and fail to create an authentic sense of dread. For instance, when Solange’s voice on the phone whispers “Hello Norman, this is your mother,” you will immediately recognize the nod to “Psycho.” Similarly, the scene where a group of eerie-looking individuals fawn over Belinda’s bump will evoke memories of “Rosemary’s Baby” when the characters’ names are displayed in capital letters. However, these homages lack impact due to their simplicity and the writers’ reluctance to develop them in a substantial way
As a movie enthusiast, “The Front Room” challenges your tolerance by subjecting an elderly character to humiliation, disguising it by making her a truly nightmarish mother-in-law. Similarly, Belinda’s racial identity and the subtle racial biases she encounters are handled in a shallow manner. The film incorporates some beautiful Mozart and Chopin melodies and creates two striking montages that contrast Belinda’s nurturing maternal instincts with Solange’s infantile whims, subtly portraying the challenges of postpartum life and the cycle of existence. Unfortunately, the merits of “The Front Room” end there. The remainder of the film is harsh and punishing
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2024-09-06 01:01