The Bride!

Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal

When Frank “The Monster” (Christian Bale) visits Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening)  to discuss his loneliness and implore her to find him a companion, that companion comes in the shape of Ida (Jesse Buckley), a young woman mixed up in the world of the mob, corrupt policemen, and also haunted by visions of Mary Shelley. But when these visions lead to her demise, she finds herself “reinvigorated” into a new world, with only a patchy memory of her past. A world which leads her on a journey of violence, love and revolution, as Frank and The Bride become an inspiration to those silenced. But is it a relationship that can survive?

The Bride! May not be the best film you’ll see this year, but it is likely the most bonkers. To be honest, I’m not sure if it’s genius or madness, but was fun either way!

It’s a film that takes inspiration from love stories to horror, gangster film to comedy, as well as a rather surprising reference to Young Frankenstein and certainly owes a debt to Joker.

It starts as a story about loneliness, but also a commentary on toxic masculinity, victim silencing and the Me Too movement, some of it subtle, some very on the nose, which is perhaps the point.

For the second time this year we are treated to a towering Jessie Buckley performance. She plays three roles, in Ida, the tortured ghost of Mary Shelley and, of course, The Bride herself, often all 3 in the same scene, capturing the frenzy of the story perfectly. Christian Bale, is a strong foil, a monster with a heart, equally capable of monstrous acts. Support is strong, especially Peter Sarsgaard and Penelope Cruz as the detective duo chasing our Bonnie and Clyde’esque pair. Annette Benning’s “mad” scientist as well as Jake Gyllenhaal’s cameo as a movie star, also add colour.

It looks great, capturing 1930’s America as well as the classic Frankenstein lab, and Buckely’s Bride will inspire many a costume for years to come. 

It’s an unhinged bit of cinematic madness, and a heck of a memorable ride.