PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
US, 2020, 113 minutes, Colour.
Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Christopher Mintz- Plasse, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Max Greenfield, Chris Lowell.
Directed by Emerald Fennell.
The title sounds enthusiastic – even promising. But, we quickly learn that the title is quite ironic. And we have to ask to whom the title refers, Cassie (a surprisingly spirited – yet at times subdued) Carey Mulligan or does it refer to her dead friend and fellow-student, Nina? Or both?
The posters for the film urging everyone to see it, decleare that it is a must-see film from 2020, that contributes to the #Me Too campaign. And, it does, but certainly not in the ways that we might have been anticipating.
Cassie was promising when she was young. She was a medical student, as was Nina. However, at Nina’s death, she dropped out, living at home with her rather bewildered parents (Clancy Brown and Jennifer Coolidge), mother desperately hoping that you will meet some nice man… She works at a small diner, supported amicably by the owner, Laverne Cox, but rather listless.
Then we discover that she has an alternate life, out on the prowl at nightclubs, various seductive techniques to entice eager men to take her home, initially letting them take advantage of her – and then!!!
So, what makes Cassie tick? She broods on the memory of Nina, Nina’s brutal rape by a frat group with other students urging them on, not defending Nina at all. Vengeance makes Cassie tick.
However, her vindictiveness meets something of a challenge when she encounters a student-friend from the past who admires her. He is now a paediatric doctor, Ryan, played by Bo Burnham. He is attracted. He is respectful. He even goes to dinner at home with Cassie’s parents. Will this break the cycle?
What is preoccupying Cassie is that one of the students involved in the rape has now returned to the US and is planning to marry. She sets up a lunch date with another former student, Madison (Alison Brie) challenge her about the past and ultimately receiving a video of the vicious occasion.
This ignites the vengeance again – and the rest of the film is the fulfilment of Cassie’s plan and vengeful aims. Not exactly as we might have expected, some ugly reminders of the Bro-mentality, complicit in its sexism, thoughtless and ruthless in its exploitation and violence. And, some malicious delight on the part of the audience at the final expose. But, we leave the cinema pondering on Cassie, the promising young woman, mission accomplished, but at what cost?
The film was written and directed by British actress (Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown), Emerald Fennell who wrote a number of episodes of Killing Eve.
1. The title? With reference to Cassie? With reference to Nina? Both?
2. The series themes? Male sexual harassment and abuse? Male camaraderie and excuses? Women as victims? Issues of law, issues of justice? Issues of vengeance?
3. The American town, ordinary homes, bars and clubs, universities and frat houses, the holiday resort? The musical score?
4. Introducing Cassie, seemingly drunk, sitting, the three men watching, Jerry approaching, his manner, taking her home, seeming gentleman, his change of attitude, sexual approach, her reaction? His being humiliated? The later encounter with Paul in the street, provocation, her turning on him, the attack and humiliation?
5. At home, her book, black and red marks, her vengeful diary?
6. Cassie as ordinary, her parents and the meals, her father gentle, her mother concerned about her dating and relationships? Her giving up her medical studies? Her friendship with Nina and Nina’s experience? Her work at the diner, friendship and support from Gail? Outing at the shop, treatment of the customers, off-hand? Gail tolerating her, urging her to other things?
7. Further encounters? Going home with the man and his declaring how decent he was, her turning the tide on him, his humiliation?
8. Ryan, his turning up at the shop, memories, medical student with Cassie, his presenting well, her response, suspicious then willing, going out with him, the preparations, his decency, the approach and Cassie’s pace? Memories of the past? His having the meal with her parents and their delight? His breaking through the stereotype of the male students? His success in his work, surgery, working with children?
9. The story of Al Monroe, in the past during studies, going abroad, his success, reputation, returning, to be married, his friends, the preparation for the party? Ryan and his connection with Al? (And the explicit connection in the video?)
10. The story of Madison, her participation in the attack on the past, condoning? Her agreeing to have the meal with Cassie, the restaurant, the meal, the drinking, Madison and her puzzle, the conversation, her passing out, Cassie arranging with the man to take her to the room? Madison later upset, nothing happening? Madison and the video of the attack? Never wanting to see Cassie again?
11. For going to visit the Dean of the College, the abduction of her daughter and the story about meeting the celebrity, challenging the Dean, the fact that she had heard the reports about Al Monroe? Her anxiety about her daughter?
12. Cassie going to visit Nina’s mother, the audience hearing more objective story about what it happened, Nina and Cassie studying together, medicine, their hopes and ambitions, the party, the drinking, the assault on Nina, her death? Cassie unable to continue with her studies, living for vengeance?
13. Cassie, intense behaviour, forgetting the date with the Ryan, his seeing her in the street dressed up, with Paul, his disillusionment? Trying to remedy the situation?
14. Cassie getting the drugs, getting the address where the party was to be, going to the party, the nurse’s costume, the reaction of the men, Joe egging Al on, gross behaviour, attitudes, harassment? Cassie making them drink, all unconscious? Taking Al upstairs, the handcuffs, his declaration of being engaged, her taunting him, the gradual revelation, her threats, his fears, getting a hand loose, the pillow, struggle, smothering Cassie and killing her?
15. The next morning, his desperation, Joe coming up, not believing? The burying of the body? Burning the body, the police and the dogs finding the remains?
16. The wedding, the celebration, everybody happy?
17. Cassie, her parents’ concern, not coming home, the police, Bo and his concern?
18. The delivery of the messages, Bo and his upset, Cassie challenging him about his presence and his being referred to on the video? The continued revelation of what was happening?
19. The video, the delivery, the police? The indication that she might be dead? The wedding, the police arriving, Joe running away, Al and his being arrested?
20. The two halves of the pendant, with each name, Cassie and the achieving of her vengeance, get prepared to give her life for Nina?
