Overview"Vox Lux" is a 2018 American drama film directed and written by Brady Corbet, starring Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, and Stacy Martin. The movie acts as an allegory about the rate of fame in contemporary culture. Brady Corbet presents popularity in two parts: the birth and the after-effects, both additional divided into acts. It utilizes an unusual narrative structure that uses music, trauma and the idea of change as its primary storytelling tools.
Plot Summary - The BirthThe movie starts in 1999, introducing the lead character, Celeste Montgomery (Raffey Cassidy), in high school. Her life takes a stunning turn when a classmate carries out a mass shooting at school, leaving Celeste injured. During a subsequent memorial service, she performs an original tune that quickly mesmerizes the nation's attention.
Consequentially, she comes under the wing of an experienced supervisor (Jude Law) who guides her towards stardom. She transfers to Sweden to produce a numerously effective Euro-pop album. Concurrently, she endures a 2nd injury when she gets injured in a cars and truck mishap, causing spinal injuries that require her to wear a neck brace, further iconizing her to the public.
Plot Summary - The AftermathIn the 2nd half of the film, an older Celeste (Natalie Portman) is now a global experience battling various demons-- public scandals, dependency, separated relationships with her daughter Albertine (likewise played by Raffey Cassidy), and her sister Ellie (Stacy Martin).
On the day of her return show after a scandal-induced hiatus, terrorists perform an attack in Europe, using masks from one of her music videos. Celeste experiences a restored wave of media analysis, together with the pressure of her return concert. Psychological breakdowns, explosive arguments, and a disorderly way of life unfold as Celeste fights her internal battles.
Themes and Symbolic InterpretationThe movie remarkably depicts the grim reality behind excessive fame. Celeste's character traverses from an innocent high-schooler to a haunted pop icon, perfectly encapsulating the nuances of popularity and the self-destruction it causes.
The distressing occasions in Celeste's life function as catalysts for her transformation, symbolizing that individual disaster can be commodified for celeb storytelling.
In regards to symbolism, Celeste's neck-brace ends up being an icon of her suffering, further enhancing her popularity. Similarly, the terrorists' use of her video's masks connects the idea of pop culture and violence.
Ending and Final ThoughtsThe movie ends with Celeste performing her highly anticipated performance, with the help of her daughter, Albertine. It shows Celeste giving up to the world of stardom when again, even after experiencing its scary consequences.
In general, "Vox Lux" is an engaging examination of the darker side of popularity and the music market, portrayed impeccably by Natalie Portman. It concentrates on the themes of transformation, injury and the questionable situations that can lead to fame.
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