Review: Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don't Worry Darling’ a hellish trip through suburbia
“Don’t Worry Darling,” director Olivia Wilde’s anti-patriarchy film, is about as subtle as a boulder being dropped on someone’s head.
That, however, doesn’t make the film any less intriguing and entertaining as the audience tries to unravel the mystery of what’s happening in the life of Alice Chambers (Florence Pugh) and her husband, Jack (Harry Styles).
In fact, the ultimate charm of “Darling” is Wilde, while providing certain clues, masterfully maintaining the mystery of the perfect residential community led by Frank (Chris Pine), a charming Svengali-like guy who talks in self-help platitudes and keeps his citizens — meaning audience — mesmerized with a bunch of gobbledygook that eventually turns into misogynistic ruminations about how life is meant to be lived in his ideal town.
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‘Don’t Worry Darling’ shows ‘perfect’ life
It's one where perfect little mid-20th century homes sit nestled beneath palm trees and a 1950s-era soundtrack plays (on vinyl) from artists such as The Platters (“Twilight Time”), Little Anthony and the Imperials (a personal fave in “Tears on My Pillow” and, for good measure, some Mel Torme (“Comin’ Home Baby”). To those under 50 or those without older siblings, sorry to send you to your music service of choice to look these up.
You know, this was the good ol’ days when America was righteous, perfect and when women knew their place. They only need to clean house, shop afterward (for free) and have dinner waiting for their hard-working man. The men receive constant propping up of egos and have willing partners.
The women? Well, they should be happy and fulfilled while taking care of their men and are rewarded with their shopping, dance classes and mid-afternoon martinis.
But Wilde, who directs from a script from Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke, peppers the cinematic landscape with clues as to what’s happening. The first: This idyllic community is remarkably diverse for the times.
Mystery men populate ‘Don’t Worry Darling’
Add to mix that the men literally go off to the desert to work and Wilde’s film piques the audience’s curiosity. However, things really go off the rails when one couple begins to start experiencing problems in their marriage.
Alice is privy to the goings on in that regard and, yes, she’s curious. Her personal antenna is up. They become more attuned when she starts to experience dreams and what she believes to be hallucinations.
In that regard, Wilde challenges the audience. Is it Alice with the problem? Or is something else going on?
Given the smarmy charm that Frank gives off when talking about his community and how all who live there are an extended family, it’s easy to give Alice the benefit of the doubt.
That’s where Wilde takes the opportunity to have fun with the scenario — teasing us. Tossing in more than a few scares and slowly ratcheting up the tension as everything slowly burns and comes to a satisfying conclusion.
Cast sells Olivia Wilde’s vision
Much of the satisfaction comes in the cast’s ability to sell the eerie, spooky premise as Pugh, who’s been ascending in her career for a couple of years now, delivers a performance that thoroughly captures the film’s tone. She’s the guide through “Don’t Worry Darling’s” grand revelations.
She certainly has a willing partner in Styles, who comes across as the ultimate alpha male and revels in the part until the end, and his ending ends up being poetic.
Wilde takes the audience on a psychological journey in her direction — never giving up too much and being wise enough to let the audience know something isn’t quite right here. In the film’s first hour, she come perilously close to losing the audience until she turns it up from simmer to medium heat.
But there’s little denying the overall power of her message, which confronts the patriarchy and attempts to give women their just due.
It’s definitely worth seeing.
George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas
Details
Movie: “Don’t Worry Darling”
Cast: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde
Directed by: Olivia Wilde
Running time: 2 hours, 6 minutes
Rated: R for sexuality, violent content and language
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: ‘Don't Worry Darling’ is captivating experience
