Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
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Velvet Buzzsaw Movie Review
Velvet Buzzsaw is a 2019 horror film directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. It’s such an interesting film in concept, though flawed in execution.
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“Critique is so limiting and emotionally draining“
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This movie is set in the art world and it portrays people working in galleries as very self-centered, horrid and off-putting people which is rather realistic and I appreciated the movie’s message of the importance of learning to appreciate art truly and not just to appreciate it for its financial potential. Thus the movie is very relatable, especially for this period when art is present, but isn’t appreciated enough or in the most honest manner.
Because the characters are such awful human beings, thus I did not care for either of them and I did not mind them all dying one by one. I certainly realize that’s a problem to some, but then again these kinds of people exist so I didn’t mind them being portrayed.
Toni Collette is so good here and Rene Russo is also strong. The other less famous actors and actresses also did a good job, but this is entirely Jake Gyllenhaal’s show and he shows once again how amazing of an actor he is. He plays a different character than usual for him and I found him entirely believable. His character is also the least off-putting one.
Velvet Buzzsaw features a killer concept where the paintings come to life and start killing people who use art just for profit. I found that a stupendous idea which wasn’t fully utilized to its greatest potential. I loved the killings themselves, but there weren’t enough of them and some were too disgusting than anything else. The one with the monkeys is my favorite for sure as it’s so creepy and memorable.
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The movie is awfully slaw paced in its first half which comes to its detriment as it only builds some genuine momentum in the second half and some of those conversation pieces should have been cut off. I liked the dialogue, but still there was too much of unnecessary talk here. The movie’s well shot, scored and very well directed by Dan Gilroy, but it’s still a far cry from his previous excellent feature.
Though definitely overly slow paced in its first half and not quite utilizing its awesome premise to the fullest extent, Velvet Buzzsaw is still an interesting horror movie set in the art world and featuring off-putting characters and another terrific performance from Jake Gyllenhaal. The film’s message is great and the horror elements are terrific.
