With Promising Young Woman, the streaming service Amazon Prime Video has a gem in its hands. The film tells a feminist ‘rape and revenge’ story that aligns well with the #MeToo movement. Infused with vibrant pastel hues and dark comedy, Promising Young Woman disguises the weighty and intense story of Cassie. As a result, Promising Young Woman is not a typical feminist film and is accessible to a broad audience of film enthusiasts.
The Story
Risking her own safety, Cassie pretends to be heavily intoxicated every night in a bar or club. When a man approaches her, seemingly kindly offering to help her get home—and these men come every time—her sinister plan unfolds. The men believe they’ve encountered a woman who, due to her inebriation, agrees to anything without resistance. So, they think it’s harmless to try more than just taking her home. But then, Cassie ‘wakes up’ and confronts the potential rapists.
Is what Cassie does normal? Not really. The term “sociopath” is mentioned several times in the film. The origin of Cassie’s action lies with her friend Nina. They began as promising young women studying medicine. They quit after an event that still profoundly influences Cassie’s life. Unexpectedly encountering her past, through a reunion with former classmate Ryan, prompts Cassie to seek revenge on her past.
Different Than Others
A powerful story that comes to life exceptionally well with a fantastic cast and a beautiful, humorous script. The mastermind behind Promising Young Woman is the British actress, writer, and producer Emerald Fennell. She is known for portraying Camilla Parker Bowles in seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown on Netflix and as the writer/executive producer of Killing Eve. This time, she took the reins and brought her own script to the big screen as a director. That was the plan before the ‘big screens’ were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, streaming service Prime Video acquired the rights, making Promising Young Woman available to a vast audience.
Promising Young Woman stands out from other feminist films, especially those released post-#MeToo. How did Emerald Fennell manage this? By concealing the intense story behind cheerful pastel hues and dark humor. A smart choice! The viewer remains captivated, even if the story is somewhat predictable at times.
After the film, there’s a mixed feeling. Satisfied with watching a good movie but somewhat dissatisfied with the absurd ending. The ending is perfectly introduced by the music choice, an instrumental version of Britney Spears’ Toxic played by strings, predicts impending doom with a slight comedic undertone.
Oscar Nominations for Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman also caught the attention of Hollywood. The film received 5 Oscar nominations: Best Achievement in Film Editing (Frédéric Thoraval), Best Director (Emerald Fennell), Best Original Screenplay (Emerald Fennell), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Carey Mulligan), and Best Picture. Emerald Fennell rightfully secured the nomination in Best Original Screenplay.
Led by Carey Mulligan as Cassie, the cast presents this intense story to the audience in an innocent yet impactful manner. Scenes between Cassie and her parents, played by Clancy Brown and Jennifer Coolidge, and Cassie and her boss, Laverne Cox, are brilliantly executed. Bo Burnham’s comedic timing also significantly contributes to the accessibility of Promising Young Woman for a broad audience. Following Cassie’s double life is a recommendation for everyone!
Promising Young Woman (2021)
Nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be – she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs from the past.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, and others.
Writer/Director: Emerald Fennell
