As a seasoned gamer and cinephile with a penchant for psychological thrillers, I found myself utterly captivated by Edgar Wright’s masterpiece, “Last Night in Soho.” The film’s unique blend of past and present, dream and reality, had me on the edge of my seat, questioning the very essence of dreams and their potential dangers.
Edgar Wright’s psychological horror film, “Last Night in Soho” (now streaming on Peacock), unfolds for you with a dreamlike quality as the present and past intermingle subtly, creating a blur between what is here (modern-day London, where Thomasin McKenzie’s character Eloise, a budding fashion student, resides) and there (the vibrant Swinging London of 1966, inhabited by Anya Taylor-Joy’s character Sandy, aspiring to become the next big thing).
Through pursuing her dreams, Eloise seemingly lands in two realms simultaneously, coexisting mysteriously with her fashion-forward twin. Unfortunately, chasing these dreams also steers her towards some truly distressing situations.
In connection with the movie’s 2021 premiere, SYFY WIRE inquired whether chasing one’s dreams might not also have its drawbacks from Wright and McKenzie.
Edgar Wright on exploring the concept of dreams with Last Night in Soho
Wright expressed that in the future, it’s appropriate to follow one’s dreams. However, he cautioned against applying this advice to the past, as it can lead to romanticizing and idealizing the past. He suggested that such longing for the past might indicate an inability to fully engage with or cope with the present, and questioned whether nostalgia isn’t just a means of escaping from contemporary life.
The problem arises when the dream transforms into a nightmare because [Eloise] is not like Marty McFly from ‘Back to the Future’, who could alter future occurrences by modifying things in the past. Instead, she can only observe. What makes this a truly frightening scenario is when it’s impossible for her to prevent disasters or avert tragedies… And that’s what gives me chills: What if you went back, but you had no power to act? That’s something that has always made me think about the worst-case scenarios.
McKenzie found the traditional wisdom of chasing your dreams quite appealing. However, she suggested adding a few precautions: “Keep your aspirations grounded, avoid setting unrealistic expectations, and don’t get too hung up on deadlines or self-imposed milestones. Be gentle with yourself, and remember not to focus solely on the end result or the ultimate dream. Instead, cherish the experience of the journey itself.
Eli’s adventure in “Last Night in Soho” kicks off with her aspirations to be a fashion designer, which are reflected in the way she dresses, influenced by her experiences in Soho from different eras. The movie’s aesthetic mirrors this, maintaining this style consistently throughout. Therefore, we were curious about how these styles influence the narrative as discussed by Wright and McKenzie.
In some instances, the intricate camera work in the film is required due to an aim to perform actions in a single take or directly on-set. These shots may create an illusion, maintaining the enchantment of the storyline. As Eloise embarks on a journey through her dreams, it’s essential to represent this immersively, mirroring her perspective. Consequently, many of these elaborate shots are designed to accompany viewers on the same adventure that Eloise is experiencing. It’s as if you wonder, ‘How is this filmed?’, which parallels Eloise’s thoughts, ‘How is this unfolding?’
McKenzie explained, “The main theme of the movie revolves around Eli’s obsession with fashion. This aspect is crucial and quite impactful. Moreover, when Eli and Sandy begin wearing similar outfits, it creates a sense of confusion for both the characters and the viewers. In terms of costume design, I must say that I have never worked on as many fittings for any other film as I have for Last Night in Soho. The level of thought and detail put into every single costume was truly astounding, and it was a joy to see the meticulous work of our costume designer Odile Dicks-Mireaux.
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2024-10-16 18:01