Am I not pretty enough? Is my heart too broken? Do I cry too much? Am I too outspoken?
These words are lyrics to an eery country ballad throughout the indie horror film, The Loved Ones, and I'm still humming it 2 weeks after viewing the film. Lola Stone aka Princess, just wants attention, but she goes through incredible lengths to get it and seeks it from the strangest or I suppose, most unspoken of places. When she asks Brent to the prom, and he turns her down, she enlists the help of her psychopath father. Together they torture and torment the already troubled kid (he killed his father in a car accident).
I don't want to get too much into the plot, but instead review the film as a whole. As someone who is not much into horror, The Loved Ones, definitely won me over. It was suspenseful, and frightening. I found myself hiding my eyes in my pillow scarf (another wonderful use for my favorite item of clothing!) and clutching my friends on either side of me. The cinematography was eye-catching, especially the symmetrical shots in which the characters were placed in the center of the frame almost looking directly into camera at the audience. Due to the prom theme, there was great ironic iconography, like Brent being tortured in a prom king crown with fallen balloons around him, as blood drips from his hands, feet, and face. I think the director could have been even more creative and pushed the juxtaposition...or commonality of celebrating a first prom experience with violent torture.
What I liked most about this horror film was how developed the characters were. As the audience we understood, for the most part, where each of the characters stood emotionally and their back stories. I wanted to know a bit more of the Lola/father relationship, which takes an almost incestual turn - and why she must kill those that reject her. Did something happen in her childhood to make her so obsessed with physically hurting those that emotionally hurt her? But regardless, I liked that I questioned this and had a hint that she was developmentally stunted and grew up in a demented household.
The actors were very committed and intriguing - the Australian accents didn't hurt either ;) I also loved that there were several "aha" or clarity moments that occurred throughout the film. It was involving to solve the puzzle as the story went on. Though many died, the ending left me feeling satisfied and thoroughly scared. I definitely had nightmares after this one (and not so much because it was gruesome - though it had its moments, but because it was actually frightening)...and also a bit of inspiration!
Sidenote: Seeing movies do not count as culture vulture points, but I figure since I'm trying to be more active, especially as a writer, goin' to see them "moving pictures" is worthy of a review or post. Cheers!
Watch Lola singing her favorite song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAr7itcNFG8
...is it bad that I relate to the lyrics of this song? The song that the psychotic murderess sings? Oh jeez...
Learn more about The Loved Ones and see it in a theatre near you here: http://www.thelovedonesmovie.com/
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