Frankenstein

This dress was worth the cost to see it on the big screen.

Movie: Frankenstein

Running Time: 2:30

Nominated for: Best Picture, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Costumes, Make Up & Hair, Original Score, Production Design, Sound, Adapted Screenplay

How I watched: Landmark Theatre

When it had me: Costumes!

When it lost me: Story framing

What systems does it challenge: Unchecked ego disguised as progress and strict societal norms

With Guillermo del Toro directing, it is no surprise for me to tell you Frankenstein is visually stunning. I made sure to see it on a big screen even though it was already streaming. The costumes, in particular are breath taking.

The movie begins with Dr. Frankenstein telling his story to a ship captain and it returns to this story framing device throughout the movie. While I enjoy hearing the lessons he has learned along the way, this framing device added a lot of time to the film. I was not feeling engaged by the interludes aboard the ship and the long speeches of telling we had to endure before we could return to showing.

I particularly enjoyed the section where the Creature goes out on his own and forges relationships in the world and discovers that the world exists to hunt you for who you are. It was heartbreaking and beautiful story telling. 

Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi were both great in their roles and brought a lot of life (ha! get it?) to the screen. I did not connect as much with Mia Goth's character as the film went on and ultimately was confused by what her goals were. But she looked fabulous!

I know this is probably going to win for make up for the Creature Design and strangely, I did not care for it. It reminded me of Nebula in Guardians of the galaxy and I didn't feel like it looked like it was made from humans. Too alien for me.

Overall it is a beautiful film about trying to exist in the world when you fall too outside the norm. Del Toro loves his monsters and I do too.