Provokr Pick: Vox Lux
Natalie Portman Rocks Out
Is there a more versatile actor than Natalie Portman? We’re trying to think of one, but we haven’t come up with anything. From Star Wars and Thor to Black Swan and the criminally underappreciated Jane Got a Gun, she’s just a tremendously talented performer who appears equally comfortable doing comedy or drama, and treats blockbuster action films with respect and seriousness. She’s a pro, and the best there is at what she does.
Portman’s latest film is Vox Lux, an intriguing new music-themed drama about the nature of celebrities and the cutthroat world of the music business. Portman stars as Celeste, a pop star who seems to have the unfortunate gift of attracting violent tragedy and professional scandal. The film uses its aesthetically-minded subject matter to establish a striking visual style, equal parts intentionally gaudy, sincerely thematic, and genuinely beautiful. Aiding in the aesthetic is real life pop star Sia, who contributed several songs to the film’s soundtrack, which are performed by Portman’s character, who looks and sounds like a cross between Madonna and Sia herself.
The film is directed by Brady Corbet, a young filmmaker who initially got his start as an actor in films like Thirteen, Funny Games, and Melancholia, as well as a brief stint on the groundbreaking FOX series, 24. He’s since transitioned into directing, with 2015’s The Childhood of a Leader marking his directorial debut. That film essentially came out of nowhere and caused audiences to snap to attention, and hopes are high for this eagerly anticipated follow-up.
In addition to Natalie Portman in the starring role, Vox Lux also has a strong supporting cast, including Jude Law as “The Manager,” Stacy Martin as Celeste’s older sister, and Willem Dafoe as the film’s narrator. As awards season is beginning to gain momentum, it will be interesting to see if the film garners any awards attention, particularly for Portman’s acting and Corbet’s directing. This is only his second film, but he’s well on his way towards becoming one of the great directors of the modern era.
Vox Lux is in theaters now.
