I just watched and reviewed this movie a few days ago. I couldn’t believe how authentic the 60s cinematic aesthetic was. The technicolor look, the cinematography. It sorta felt like it was really only parts of the acting style that sorta winked to the camera to remind us that it’s a contemporary film. Found this to be a really interesting. Great review!
Same here. I enjoy Hammer, Bava, and giallo in general, and I totally dig this film. A.O. Scott from the NY Times said Anna Biller deserved an Oscar nomination for her screenplay. I wouldn't go that far though.
Just discovered your channel after watching all reviews on the Sopranos movie. Been going back and watching alot of your stuff since then and enjoying immensely. You're very talented and love listening to opinion on a lot of the classic movie's that I love. Keep up the great work!!!
I'm so glad you finally got around to digging up this neo-60's gem... I remember making comparisons between this and "Under the Skin"; and it seems that "The Love Witch" is a lot better at being a social commentary and "gender study" than the other movie, precisely through the guise of satirizing Italian horror from the 60's and early 70's. @4:30: Anna Biller even takes directly from the soundtracks of certain Italian "giallo" films with Ennio Morricone was at his very best, especially during the potion-making scenes which re-imagined the theme from "Il Diavolo Nel Cervello" (Devil in the Brain, 1972).
The BTS pictures must look really really weird after seeing the movie. It looked amazing. Usually you can always sniff out if a film was made with a certain aesthetic in mind, but with The Love Witch, my brain got fried trying to convince myself that it was made in the 21st century.
I'm way late but glad you got around to reviewing this one. What I didn't expect is how much it affected me emotionally. Elaine's story...well, I shouldn't say more for those who haven't seen it yet. Maybe it shouldn't matter that I happen to be a straight man but Biller's brilliance for me to affect my feelings in such a universal way was a real surprise. This film gets mostly discussed for its style but its substance is even more bold. It's also a rare smart critique of New Ageism and occultism, not falling into the obvious for or against camps since it's character driven. I hope Biller gets to make another soon but her upcoming Bluebeard novel sounds like it'll be a must read anyway.
So happy to see you review one of my favorite films and a great review at that! Anna Biller isn't appreciated enough and this film should have launched a massive career for her as an auteur. From a stylistic and tonal perspective, she's working in the same wheelhouse as Tarantino and Ti West (while putting her unique feminine spin on this brand of pastiche cinema). I don't think women are encouraged to make movies like this. I think the expectation is they should be more "heart on sleeve" and not as aesthetically bombastic. Anyway, great review. Loved hearing all your insights, which were totally spot-on. 👍🏼
I watched this with a buddy for the kitsch but afterwards we both thought it was actually a really good movie. And I’ve never see filmic pastiche done so flawlessly
This is the most in-depth and poignant review I've seen of the Love Witch. I love this movie so much and can watch it over and over just for the aesthetics alone, but like you're saying, it's much more complex than it seems. I'd be interested to see your take on Last Night in Soho since it also has that romanticized 1960s aspect to it.
I love Anna Biller films. They're very stylistic (some say subversive) but they're also hilarious in a very dark and deadpan fashion and Biller is in on the joke....The actors are always serious, but you can see a twinkle in their eyes when they are on the verge of cracking up during a scene.
Great movie. Joe bob presented it and interviewed Anna Biller for his Valentine’s Day special on shudder. I thought I was watching a movie from the 60s for the first 30min.
This movie was like The Holy Mountain mixed with The Craft, something by David Lynch, a Jane Fonda type movie like Barbarella, a Lana del Rey music video, a Spellling music video and the original Suspiria or House, mixed with heavy feminist messaging and interesting gender commentary. it’s absolutely wild and it’s so fun to watch. I wish more movies would be made like this nowadays
Putting her evil doings aside, she can also be analyzed as a result of long-term patriarchal abuse, specifically the expectations and treatment she received from her father, husband, and that disgusting cult leader. She was indoctrinated to believe that being a woman means serving men, and that her sexuality is to be expressed for men only (she never reaches climax but rather dissociates from sexual experiences, which is common among people who have experienced SA). Elaine never learned to enjoy herself or understand what path is for her outside of the male gaze.
May I recommend (if you haven't already seen it) Wildfire, directed by Cathy Brady. It's such a superb, haunting and moving drama, it navigates some really unexpected emotional/psychological avenues regarding sisterly bonds. Brilliant, dedicated performances from the 2 leads (tragically Danika Macguigan's last film).
Wow! I have to check this one out. Thanks for the heads up. The trailers remind me of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and Jacque Demy's The Model Shop. Also, the 60s Dragnet series comes to mind in some spots.
Same here. On an aesthetic and technical level, it's wonderful but I didn't find it engaging beyond the surface. Maybe if it was shorter and a big quicker on its feet but as it is, I lose interest quickly and struggled to get through it.
You should have more subscribers. Not that 31.5K is a small amount, just should be more. Maybe put a boris Johnson poster up behind you, see what that dose.
I thought the movie was terrible. I shut it off after 20 minutes. Bad acting, strong feminism, overbearing narcissistic attitudes. If the lead actress showed nudity in the first sex scene, it would have drawn you more into believing her character .. that no man could withstand or survive her sexuality. Initially the movie reminded me of "Under the Skin", where in both movies a beautiful, detached, other worldly woman seeks out males as objects to solely suit their purpose with tragic results.
I been watching a lot of your videos lately. Best part when you put your right hand on the shelf with your palm on your temple and channel your inner Jean grey! I saw a copy of watchmen on the shelf. How about doing a fav graphic novels video?
I'm watching the movie. With all the close up smoking in the first minute, we know were part of the money for the movie came. Starts out very kitch, but not in a good way. Well, she's no Almodovar....It's sexploitation estetique.... It's quite nightmarish and in this regard, it's a successful movie.
If anyone is interested, the impressionable, "giallo"-inspired soundtrack - in its wistful entirety - can be found right here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WKj0U1FS2Qc.html
just finished it and didn't like it apart from aesthetics and some lines here and there, it kept dragging on and on and the moral of the story? the other woman realizing that she too should give men their fantasy, very disappointing it would have been better if the movie ended with her being in handcuffs after being told how delusional she is
I watched this movie about 3 months ago and nxt night got the girl I always wanted. But now can't Have her.she even looks like the love witch stunning. I think this movie casts a spell. Now iam like the first chap that dies in the bed in the movie. I guess love witches are real
