“I am destiny in perpetual repetition…” (Palindrome)
The Hidden Review watched Palindrome, a nuanced exploration of the human psyche concerning grief and loss, with some exciting stylisation.
Moreover, Palindrome is a strange journey through narrative and perspective. Usually, at this point, I would give a brief bit of context about what I have watched. However, in this case, that is somewhat difficult.
Plot
The plot is deliberately ambiguous. Some scenes occur in a psychiatric hospital. There’s an armed robbery. ‘Fred’, the central character, is often confused. He spends most of his time looking for a phone number. Many moments have an expressionistic intrigue. This works well. Occasionally, the plot feels confused and lacking in focus. However, most of the time, the deliberate ambiguity is good.
At the same time, the stylisation of design aspects is where the film is at its best and makes up for an occasionally clunky script. Beautifully deliberate shots and an excellent score give the film a rhythm that it was in danger of losing due to long scenes. The sound provides the impetus for scenes. It sets the tone well. Grand musical crescendos raise the stakes in clouded confrontations and uncomfortable conversations.
Performances
The acting is generally good. Jumaane Brown effectively plays ‘Fred.’ He appears lost and disoriented. While this becomes a little repetitive, he interacts well with his surroundings. This interaction makes the internal battle a compelling watch. Sarah Swain is very strong as Anna, an artist rapidly losing herself. The dramaturgical beats of the film leave you with a lot to think about, usually the sign of a good piece of art.
Furthermore, there are two distinct acts, focusing on Fred and then Anna, both of which offer different things, and the second act definitely finds its rhythm better, the writing improves, and the characters are fleshed out better.
Overall, this has a lot of interesting ideas introduced, and while it could do with more focus and a more precise drive behind it, it is a watch that takes time to sink in and is well worth it.
Hidden Fire stars 7/10
️Palindrome is now available on Prime Video.
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