Movie Number 42 of 2026
The Movie: Klara and the Sun
The Cinema: Hoyts Victoria Gardens
Runtime: One hour 56 minutes
Stars: 4
Kazuo Ishiguro is one of my favourite authors - and Klara and the Sun, though very, very good, is not my favourite of his works.
Taika Waititi is a favourite director. I mean, The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Next Goal Wins and What We Do in the Shadows are comedy gold with huge hearts. When he goes a bit deeper, like in JoJo Rabbit, he hits hard, but with pathos.
Oh, then there's the Belvedere Vodka add which lives rent free in my head. Just to remind you, this...
Klara and the Sun shows off his softer, mature, empathetic side. Mixed with Ishiguro's cerebral, thought-provoking story, you have something pretty special.
I read the book of the film years ago and remember enjoying it. The story tells of Klara, an AF - Artificial Friend, popular in the post-apocalyptic society for providing friendship to people for whatever reason they need. Klara (Jenna Ortega) is an older model of AF, known for their empathy, something which isn't always valued in society. The film starts at the bargain store where Klara resides with other grandfathering AFs and the Store Manager (Natasha Lyonne). Klara finally gets her chance to be in the window to try to find her family.
She is adopted by Josie (Mia Tharia) who sees something in Klara that she requires. Her mother Chrissy (Amy Adams) isn't thrilled with the choice, and housekeeper, Melania (Rachel House) is not pleased with her presence around the house.
A lot of the film is from Klara's point of view, where she has to 'calibrate' to new environments and well as navigate the tricky family situation, external friendships and her AF role in the world.
The film has quite a bit to say about the use of social media and AI and how this is portrayed in friendship. From memory, the book does a better job at this, while the film verges on pastiche at times.
From memory, overall, the book cuts deeper, however this is a beautifully shot and acted film.
Jenna Ortega is wonderful as the plucky Klara. She uses her acting gifts to animate her robot characteristics. Amy Adams and Mia Tharia excel as the mother and daughter in a precarious position, while Rachel House and Natasha Lyonne bring the comedic thrust.
Taika Waititi is at his best when he's wandering the grey areas of dystopia, pathos and emotion. He brings all of this here.
Filmed in New Zealand, the sets and cinematography are exquisite. The only thing I found a little jarring was the more minor character's New Zealand accents mixing in with more mainstream American ones. it wasn't a deal breaker, but it did raise an eyebrow or two.
Although I'm still more a fan of the book, because Kazou Ishiguro is a literary god, this is a solid film and well worth a look.
No comments:
Post a Comment