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- ‘Make Up’ Is a Fever Dream Coming-of-Age Story
- The Critics Love ‘Make Up,’ but Audiences Were Not Impressed
- Should You Watch ‘Make Up?’
As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I must confess that my experiences have been as diverse as a box of chocolates – sometimes sweet, other times bitter, but always intriguing! The indie film scene is where my heart lies, and I’ve seen some gems that have left me spellbound. One such film that caught my attention recently is ‘Make Up,’ starring the rising star Joseph Quinn, who’s been setting the screen on fire with his performances in Stranger Things, Gladiator II, and The Fantastic Four.
The talented actor Joseph Quinn has certainly built a thriving career for himself. He initially appeared in independent films and later won over audiences as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things. His impressive performance was also noticed in the hit movie Gladiator II, where he portrayed Emperor Gata. In upcoming movies, Quinn will be seen rekindling the role of Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four and Avengers series. However, despite his rising popularity, Quinn starred in an indie film in 2020 that received mixed reactions from critics.
Instead of “While ‘Make Up’ won over critics, the audience didn’t show as much enthusiasm for this dark coming-of-age thriller, let’s explore the reason behind this divide and if the movie is worth revisiting now that Joseph Quinn has gained widespread acclaim in the acting world.
‘Make Up’ Is a Fever Dream Coming-of-Age Story
18-year-old Ruth decides to live with her boyfriend Tom at a secluded Caravan park during summer, where he works. Yet, Ruth’s trust in Tom begins to falter when she finds lipstick traces at his place, leading her to suspect his infidelity and growing uneasy under his dominance. As she adjusts to the new community, Ruth crosses paths with Jade and finds herself deeply captivated by her. Confronted by doubts about Tom and fascinated by Jade, Ruth’s bond with Tom weakens amidst concerns of infidelity and control, while she becomes increasingly entangled in an emotionally charged relationship with Jade.
The movie “Make Up” features Molly Windsor as Ruth, a young woman grappling with her sense of self. Rising star Joseph Quinn, known for his roles in “Gladiator II” and the upcoming “Fantastic Four” film, portrays Tom, a domineering boyfriend. Stefanie Martini completes the principal cast as Jade. Claire Oakley, who made her feature-length directorial debut with this film and also penned the script, helmed the project. The movie made its premiere in 2019 at the BFI London Film Festival.
The Critics Love ‘Make Up,’ but Audiences Were Not Impressed
Looking at Rotten Tomatoes, there’s a significant gap between what critics are saying about “Make Up” compared to the audience. At the moment, “Make Up” has a 98% fresh rating among critics but only a 26% score on the Popcornmeter. This might be misleading because the audience score is based on fewer than 50 ratings and may not accurately represent a larger audience’s opinion. However, even when considering other movie aggregate sites like IMDb and Letterboxd, “Make Up” still doesn’t meet the high critical praise it’s received, with an IMDb rating of 5.9/10 and a Letterboxd rating of 2.29/5.
Praise for Claire Oakley’s first film was abundant, with reviewers expressing various compliments. Robbie Collin from The Telegraph, for instance, awarded it a perfect 5/5 and ended his critique by declaring, “Aptly poetic and psychologically astute, Make Up heralds the emergence of a promising new talent.” Similarly, Teo Bugbee from the New York Times applauded the film for its innovative take on the coming-of-age genre, referring to Make Up as an “engrossing exploration of adolescent self-discovery, employing horror elements to symbolize the fear associated with self-realization.” Critics also lauded the film’s cinematography and use of visuals to illustrate Ruth’s internal battles.
In the case of the film “Make Up”, while some critics found reasons to commend it, the response from the audience was more divided in their interpretations. Some spectators believed that the movie was heavy on style but lacked substance, whereas critics seemed to appreciate its artistic style. Furthermore, labeling the movie as a thriller and trying to create a suspenseful atmosphere within its style was deemed superfluous and indulgent for a story with a simple narrative. Additionally, some viewers criticized the portrayal of coming-of-age through shame and confusion, stating that it is an overused trope and that “Make Up” did not offer any profound treatment of the theme. However, there were also some audience reviews that mirrored the critics’ praise.
Should You Watch ‘Make Up?’
The movie “Make Up” is intended to appeal to critics with its exploration of identity themes and an enhanced focus on aesthetics. If you tend to agree with critics’ opinions, then this ‘thriller’ film may be worth watching for you. For those who appreciate film styles, Claire Oakley’s innovative approach to the coming-of-age genre is a must-see, as her visual and auditory elements contribute significantly to her artistic vision. Although the scores from critics and audiences differ, there are still shared aspects that make “Make Up” worth watching for those who can appreciate its distinct take on a common story. In particular, fans of independent cinema will be impressed by the creative narrative that Claire Oakley has constructed.
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2024-11-23 07:01