Sleeping Beauty (2011)
Starring Emily Browning and Rachael Blake
Directed by Julia Leigh
***This film is currently streaming on Netflix***
Right off the bat, I need to say that I have no clue what this movie is trying to say. I think it's probably some feminist-skewed morality tale about a chick who after falling into an odd form of prostitution comes to the realization that she's a better person than she gives herself credit for, but I'm really just grasping for straws to even come up with that. Still, despite not having a clue as to what I was watching, I can't say I was bored (although there were certainly stretches that tested my patience). I only wish there was a bit more of a complete thought in the midst of the vagueness depicted onscreen.
Emily Browning is Lucy, a college student in Australia struggling to make ends meet by working multiple jobs. Right off the bat, we're aware that Lucy is "sexually adventurous" as she heads into a bar and sleeps with a man with whom she's known for less than five minutes. Still, that doesn't quite prepare us in the audience for when Lucy takes a job at what is essentially an upscale escort service catering to people with odd sexual desires. While the "madam" of the service (played by Rachael Blake) insists that "no penetration" will be allowed in the situations into which she places Lucy, the young woman is still subjected to some very odd sexual situations that (maybe?) eventually awaken her to what exactly she is putting herself through. Still, despite being all about sex, there's a lack of titillation on display in Sleeping Beauty...rather, we find ourselves nervous for Lucy rather than being excited by her exploits.
Kudos to Emily Browning for being brave enough to be completely nude for quite a lot of the movie. However, the film fails miserably at letting us get any glimpse into how Lucy truly feels for using her body in order to make a living. Lucy is rather one-note and it's a character that screams for multi-dimensionalism. This lack of any depth oftentimes makes Browning appear dry and bland, but I can't help but think that's more the fault of the script and direction (both by first-timer Julia Leigh) than Browning (although I will say that Ms. Browning has yet to really showcase herself in any role I've seen her in at this point, lacking that charisma oftentimes needed to carry a film).
While there are certainly problems with Sleeping Beauty, I was moderately intrigued by the whole thing. Sure, I don't know what I was supposed to get out of it and it's certainly one of the oddest movies of 2011, but it manages to at least be different enough to be interesting.
Emily Browning is Lucy, a college student in Australia struggling to make ends meet by working multiple jobs. Right off the bat, we're aware that Lucy is "sexually adventurous" as she heads into a bar and sleeps with a man with whom she's known for less than five minutes. Still, that doesn't quite prepare us in the audience for when Lucy takes a job at what is essentially an upscale escort service catering to people with odd sexual desires. While the "madam" of the service (played by Rachael Blake) insists that "no penetration" will be allowed in the situations into which she places Lucy, the young woman is still subjected to some very odd sexual situations that (maybe?) eventually awaken her to what exactly she is putting herself through. Still, despite being all about sex, there's a lack of titillation on display in Sleeping Beauty...rather, we find ourselves nervous for Lucy rather than being excited by her exploits.
Kudos to Emily Browning for being brave enough to be completely nude for quite a lot of the movie. However, the film fails miserably at letting us get any glimpse into how Lucy truly feels for using her body in order to make a living. Lucy is rather one-note and it's a character that screams for multi-dimensionalism. This lack of any depth oftentimes makes Browning appear dry and bland, but I can't help but think that's more the fault of the script and direction (both by first-timer Julia Leigh) than Browning (although I will say that Ms. Browning has yet to really showcase herself in any role I've seen her in at this point, lacking that charisma oftentimes needed to carry a film).
While there are certainly problems with Sleeping Beauty, I was moderately intrigued by the whole thing. Sure, I don't know what I was supposed to get out of it and it's certainly one of the oddest movies of 2011, but it manages to at least be different enough to be interesting.
The RyMickey Rating: C+
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