I love films about the paranormal so I was naturally looking forward to Planetarium, particularly starring Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp. All started well, but unfortunately this film did not live up to its advertised promise.
Loosely inspired by the Fox sisters and other important figures in the field of spiritualism, Planetarium relates the story of Laura (Portman) and Kate (Depp) Barlow, two tightly-knit sisters who perform séances to communicate with the dead.
Orphaned and desperate to make a home for themselves in a wildly destabilized Europe, the sisters travel the continent and make a modest living until they meet André Korben (Emmanuel Salinger) who wants to make a movie of the séances and thereby make them stars. However, this does not go to plan and Laura becomes a token movie star and Kate manipulated by Korben. This relationship almost destroys the three and throws them into a world of intrigue and deceit almost resulting in Kate’s death.
The problem with this film is not the performances, they are extremely competent. It’s the script. One is lead to believe that Kate is a real medium and that Andre goes to great lengths to prove this on film. After two-thirds of the movie, the storyline seems to be completely dropped in favour of Laura’s relationship to Andre. I personally found this change of direction confusing and disappointing.
Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp have a real chemistry together that I have rarely seen on the screen. They look nothing alike, but there is something there that makes them real. Their performances are sympathetic and caring.
Emmanuel Salinger perfectly portrays the ambiguity of Korben’s character. You never know precisely what he wants from the two girls, or from himself for that matter.
The score, costumes and settings are sumptuous and right on period. The scenes of Laura coming down Korben’s beautifully curved staircase are visually stunning.
While I was disappointed with the abandonment of the paranormal plot during the latter part of the film, Pandemonium is an enthralling study of three complex characters and their interrelationships with each other.
Reviewed by Barry Hill
Twitter: @kinesguy
Rating out of 10: 8
Planetarium will screen again on 7,11,15,20 & 22 April for the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, which runs 30 March – 23 April 2017 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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