Introduction"Affluenza" is a drama movie launched in 2014, directed by Kevin Asch. This movie works as a critique of wealth and the accompanying decadence and discontent it can breed, effectively a contemporary variation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", embeded in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis. The protagonist of the story is a young photographer called Fisher Miller.
Plot SummaryThe story kicks off with Fisher, played by Ben Rosenfield, from a middle-class background who gets a scholarship to a prominent school on the East Coast. He moves in with his wealthy family members, the Carsons, who reside in a luxurious suburban neighborhood on Long Island. The Carsons represent the upper class way of life that Fisher is at once fascinated and repulsed by.
On moving in with the Carsons, Fisher is introduced to a world of wealth and luxury. His cousin Kate, played by Nicola Peltz, is an aspiring socialite, while her sibling Todd, represented by Gregg Sulkin, is an aspiring tennis pro. Fisher soon becomes associated with their circle, that includes Kate's partner, Dylan - played by Grant Gustin - and numerous other members of the elite neighborhood.
The Core Issue and ClimaxFisher's resistance to this new world begins to fall apart as he gets enamoured by its sparkle. He begins taking candid pictures of the wealth and decadence surrounding him, but also the emotional vacuum and the distress camouflaged by this exterior. His supreme goal is to get his work into an art gallery. He likewise develops feelings for Kate, complicating his situation.
As the story progresses, we get glances into the lives of these characters packed with excesses, revealing their disillusionment and the vacuum of their privileged presence. Fisher's discontent grows along with his extravagance. The stress reaches its peak with the financial crash of 2008, which hits the Carsons' way of life and their finances considerably.
Conclusion"Affluenza" confronts the dark side of wealth, opulence, youth, and the American Dream. The world the Carsons reside in is glamorous however hollow, filled with luxury however doing not have in substance and joy. There are visible yet unmentioned problems in their relationships, their aspirations, and their self-identities. Fisher's story deciphers this truth.
As the film ends, Fisher's love for Kate remains unrequited. Although sustained by anger, he lastly deals with to leave this world behind, making it to an art gallery with his pictures that expose the reality of the life he briefly lived - wealthy yet hollow.
In conclusion, "Affluenza" is a poignant critique of superficial worths and wealth without compound. It offers a stirring expedition of the upper-echelons of society and their battle to maintain their facades. Through the lens of Fisher, the film invites its audience to question the worth and meaning of affluence, whilst highlighting the significant effects of the monetary crash that serves as the movie's backdrop.
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