Vox Lux is described as a 21st-century portrait. The ebbs and flows of our society are represented through the life of Celeste Montgomery as viewers followed the young woman through her adolescence and into her early thirties. Celeste’s story is tragic, but the description of a film as a portrait is apt because rather than sympathising or rooting for Celeste’s success, audiences are positioned to simply observe as she stumbles into a tragic existence.
Celeste is a victim of a school shooting in 1999 which claims the lives of many of her classmates and leaves her shaken and permanently injured. However, this event is also what leads her to a life of superstardom. Celeste sings a song at a memorial for her classmates, which is televised live. The song goes international, thrusting Celeste into a life she would never have dreamed of. The film turned away from the classic ‘phoenix rising from the ashes’ stories we are familiar with, and instead presents a character who is sympathetic but somewhat dislikeable. Her life starts to break apart as Celeste pushes away her family, her religion and her once kind demeanour for her life as a pop icon.
However, despite Celeste’s questionable actions and even ugly characteristics she is not dislikable, she is fascinating. Celeste is painted as the manifestation of a morally ambiguous society, with her priorities out of tune with the world around her, particularly considering her traumatic life. And yet, we also understand that her trauma is the thing that created her. It is somewhat paradoxical, as we feel both disgust and pity towards Celeste, who is equally a part of the problems with society, as she is a result of them.
This film’s greatest strength was definitely it’s stylistic elements, as it paid homage to the great films of the 60s and 70s. The music, the sultry voiceover and camera shots al reflected a certain grandeur which was totally mesmerising and immediately set up the audience for an enthralling experience. Films like The Sound of Music came to mind when watching Vox Lux, with the excessively used but stunning landscape shots, and the music score which seemed to act as a central character. The style will catch your attention immediately, and as the film darkens, will become increasingly moving.
In terms of plot, the way action progressed deviated from classic Hollywood films. As such, responses are likely to be varied. The film presents a moment in time, a snippet of Celeste’s existence, rather than a circular narrative. As such, the film ends somewhat lacking in conclusion and audience members may be left thinking: Well what was the point? The lack of conclusion may feel unsatisfying, but it is also moving. There is no transformation or redemption for Celeste, but likewise, there is no downfall. The window we are given into her life is closed, and instead of presenting audiences with a conclusion we are forced to take our own meaning and interpret the events for ourselves.
Overall, the film is not one for light watching and would require total immersion to be able to appreciate fully. The deviation from the basic Hollywood structure is startling but makes for a memorable experience. Moreover, Vox Lux is certainly a film that will stay with you, and you are likely to find yourself thinking about Celeste and the messages her life sent long after the credits have rolled.
OUR RATING:
4/5
