Plot
Model couple Carl and Yaya head off on a luxury cruise. During their time on the cruise, they meet a variety of people – both within their “level” and “below” them.
When a serious event sees them stranded on a deserted island, the “classes” that these people live in changes dramatically.
Direction
Ruben Östlund directs. I have not come across his films before, but I quite enjoyed his work behind the camera. There are continuous takes, as well as the way the camera ‘moves’ (panning between characters as they converse) which reminded me somewhat of M Night Shyamalan.
There is also some clever slanted angles, especially in the scenes on the boat where a storm rages on outside and the ship itself is leaning to the side.
Cast
Harris Dickinson plays Carl. I do like what he brought to the table with his character arc.
Charlbi Dean played Yaya. Sadly she passed away shortly before the films release.
Zlatko Buric and Sunnyi Melles play Dimitry and Vera, a ‘well to do’ older couple that befriend the duo.
Vicki Berlin and Dolly de Leon play Paula, and Abigail – two members of the yacht staff who are also from different ‘classes’. Paula, the chief of staff of the crew who attend to all the clients demands. Abigail is the head of the custodian team – who has a different time on the island than the rest of her castaways. As these rich people cannot fend for themselves, she promotes herself captain of the island – and the elitists ‘fall in line’ for the first time.
Woody Harrelson plays the all to brief on screen Thomas, who is the Captain of the ship. He has a fascinating scene with Dimitry where they argue on communism vs capitalism. He finds himself between these two worlds. While he sits in luxury on a ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ ship – he is more a commoner than elitist.
Breakdwon
Told in three ‘parts’ – Part One we meet Yaya and Carl – they are a couple who are both models. They have in depth conversations about gender equality – as Yaya earns significantly more money that Carl does in their careers, but she still has the expectations that he pay for everything and even takes his change at one point. This is a well delivered ‘first act’ which is really one of the themes that the film tackles (and tackles well) is how society’s expectations are on gender conformity.
This part possibly could have been condensed, as it would have given us more time on both the yacht and island in parts 2 &3.
In Part Two, which Yaya and Carl are on the mega-yacht, they meet a varying array of other passengers. There is the Russian couple (he made his money through manure, the old British couple (who made their money through weapons including hand grenades…) the tech billionaire who is desperately lonely, and the stroke riddle woman who can only speak in brief German.
It is here where the difference between the elite and the common is noticeable.
The ultra rich treat the staff attending them as if they are way beneath them – with only a sliver of moments where they show some respect. Yaya is kind to one crew member, who in turn Carl complains bout and gets him fired. Then there is the difference between the staff themselves – with the custodian team only showing themselves at night to clean – and clean they do after one unfortunate dinner – caused by seafood left out (because one elitist wanted the entire crew to go swimming) and a raging storm outside… The practical effects during this whole moment was brilliantly achieved. bravo!!!
The idea of how the two ‘classes’ are treated and portrayed is very well done. I also loved the way the staff must ‘keep the facade’ of perfection all the way through the film, even when they are dealing with shit from the clients (and at one stage it is both figurative and literal – in some graphic moments!!)
There is some good ‘political’ statements – coming from the mostly absent Capt Thomas as he goes on a drunken tirade at one stage – where he is sitting in luxury – aboard a yacht clearly worth hundreds of millions of dollars, yet he does not feel as he is ‘part of the elite’. Instead he feels like a commoner among them, and makes a good point about how they should pay their taxes (considering what goes on in most countries)
There is a “comical” left turn when the ship is suddenly taken over by pirates, and the old couple mentioned earlier discover one of their hand grenades has just been thrown at them… and then…
Part three sees several of those mentioned on an island following what is assumed as the mega yacht sinking. Sean and Yaya are lucky enough to have survived together, along with Dimitry, Paula and Abigail and a small handful of the others.
The entitled don’t know how to do anything, nor does Paula – it is Abigail who really comes through – and a wonderful discussion of “perceived roles within society” is had. Some of the elite still see Abigail as “just” a cleaner on the yacht – but she caught, cleaned, cooked and served the fish that they have for dinners…. Abigail’s deflection of ‘where is the yacht’ is one of the highlights of the film.
There is some humor in the tragedy that unfolds – as at one stage Vera washes up on shore deceased. Dimitry despite being in grief, removes her many jewels that she wears – that shows deep down he is still only about the dollar.
I didn’t care too much for the Abigail/Carl arc – and felt this went on for too long, and it took away from some of the rest of the film. Perhaps it was to show that Abigail’s identity had changed? Before she was looked down on, barely noticed – but on the island – all the people depend on her, and agree with her becoming the “Captain” of the Island.
The shock ending, in which *** spoiler *** Yaya, as she is on a walk with Abigail, discover that the island they are on is actually a luxury resort leaves an open ended ending – as Abigail breaks down in tears. She may loose the one identity that she has ever really enjoyed – and the cut to black with Abigail holding a large rock over Yaya – and Carl running through the bushes (seemingly aware that such an event is occurring) leaves it up to audience interpretation.
Overall
A wonderfully well written film that tackles some brilliant topics such as gender roles, social class, identity – and how people are treated when they are not in the same class as them.
Some great performances, with standouts going to Dolly de Leon as Abigail and the late Charlbi Dean as Yaya.
A very strong recommend (but not for the faint hearted due to “that” dinner scene).
4.5/5
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