REVIEW: “Rumours” (2024)

As a cinephile who has traversed the vast terrain of global cinema and witnessed the grand spectacle that is the silver screen, I must admit that “Rumours” has left me utterly bewildered and yet oddly enchanted. This film, directed by the audacious trio of Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson, defies categorization with its unique blend of black comedy, political satire, science fiction, and horror – a concoction that is as puzzling as it is entertaining.

Cate Blanchett persists in her diverse cinematic journey with the film “Rumours”, a production that defies traditional genre classifications. The movie is helmed by the innovative trio of directors – Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson. “Rumours” blends elements of dark comedy and sharp political satire within an intriguing narrative that seamlessly intertwines apocalyptic science fiction with classic horror tropes. At times it’s dreamlike, at others it’s nonsensical, yet it proudly embraces its freedom from creative limitations.

The film “Rumours” is both intriguing and perplexing, offering more mysteries than solutions. It includes unexpected turns that may serve symbolic functions, but their meanings are still elusive to me. The blend of reality and fantasy in the movie can be more confusing than enlightening at times. However, it keeps you hooked in a captivating way, and the underlying cause of the turmoil becomes less important compared to the hapless reactions of the seven global leaders we follow throughout.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a G7 summit, an annual meeting where heads from affluent democratic nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and USA) gather to tackle global problems. For screenwriter Evan Johnson, this was an ideal setting to mock the ineffectiveness of international leadership, particularly during crises. The climax of his witty critique is revealed in the end credits, when it becomes clear that these characters have achieved nothing. This, however, is precisely the message.

Maddin and the duo named Johnson assemble an impeccable acting ensemble who appear to be enjoying themselves from the start to the end. Notably outstanding among them is Cate Blanchett, portraying German Chancellor Hilda Ortmann. She welcomes seven high-ranking international politicians to a secluded castle in Dankerode, Germany for a G7 Summit, during which they deliberate on an undisclosed global predicament.

In this gathering, we have Hilda alongside Prime Minister Maxime Laplace from Canada, a character portrayed by Roy Dupuis, who appears both embattled and laughably resilient; Cardosa Dewindt, the intense British Prime Minister played by Nikki Amuka-Bird; Edison Walcott, the pragmatic U.S. President portrayed by Charles Dance; Sylvain Broulez, a loquacious French President represented by Denis Ménochet; Antonio Lamorte, the jittery pacifistic Italian Prime Minister (Rolando Ravello); and Tatsuro Iwasaki, Japan’s Prime Minister, who appears sporadically in the movie during its last 20 minutes, played by Takehiro Hira.

Following a few playful picture sessions, our seven distinguished figures gather at a freshly constructed pavilion, where they commence drafting their preliminary declaration – a facade of joint achievement intended for global consumption. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn when the group realizes they’ve been left stranded. They find no staff support, no security, and no cell phone reception. To add to the mystery, they encounter strange creatures resembling zombies, with slimy, gelatinous bodies and peculiar habits, blocking their path to the castle.

In my critique, I delve into the misadventures of our seven seemingly infallible leaders who, ironically, display an alarming ineptitude when it comes to navigating global crises. Instead, they showcase their incompetence in managing their own affairs, leaving no room for doubt that they are far from the brightest minds on the block. In fact, these characters serve as living embodiments of their respective nations, a theme masterfully exploited by Maddin, Johnson, and Johnson in their filmmaking.

The story ‘Rumours’ is filled with amusing elements such as Dance maintaining his British accent throughout, Antonio carrying an abundant amount of cured meats at all times, the odd fixation of the group on completing their preliminary statement even as an apocalypse approaches, and a laugh-out-loud scene in the third act featuring an AI chatbot.

The piece also contains some puzzling elements, such as the unexpected introduction of Alicia Vikander whose role seems inconsistent within the narrative. Moreover, there’s a peculiar scene involving a giant pink squishy brain resembling a Volkswagen Beetle found in the woods. However, if you’re looking for logical explanations to this bizarreness, you might have already missed the point.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve found “Rumours” to be an intriguing exploration of absurdism, draped in a refined manner that might initially leave some viewers feeling frustrated by its leisurely pace and eventual lack of resolution. However, if you’re willing to embrace its audacious style, you’ll find yourself chuckling at the pompous characters, their grandiose statements, and the ubiquitous pantsuits. With a cast that reads like a who’s-who in Hollywood, all in on the joke, the film’s blunt message becomes not just relevant but often uncontrollably funny. So, if you’re ready for a cinematic experience that combines wit, humor, and a timely commentary on our society, don’t miss out on “Rumours”, now streaming on VOD!

2024-10-23 17:56

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