Saltburn: The Revival of Cinema
By Stella Violet
Saltburn’s summertime air is filled with blood, sweat, and bathtubs.
Spoilers Ahead:
Like most, I was completely unaware of what to expect when I noticed the conflicting feelings people had about this film on social media. However, I had a renewed passion for movies after seeing the film.
Saltburn reveals to the audience the real significance of the phrase “eat the rich.”
The film is set in 2006, with Oxford University serving as the setting. Where the underdog becomes friends with the most popular guy on campus after his bike tire pops. Our underdog, however, is more cynical and calculated than we thought at the start of the film, much like Taylor Swift’s song, Mastermind.
In the end, Oliver, played by Barry Keoghan, gets everything he wants in Saltburn. Where we see his character dancing naked around the house to “Murder on the Dancefloor” after murdering an entire family.
In my opinion, the sheer amount of pure talent alone made this film a masterpiece. However, I was disappointed when the film lacked elements that many on social media had discussed prior to watching.
As a film enthusiast, I was expecting something similar to Requiem for a Dream or Babylon. Please understand that while there were some difficult scenes in the movie, overall, I thought it was rather mild in comparison to my expectations.
The film introduces us to outlandish and extravagant characters played by beloved actors such as, Rosamund Pike, Alison Oliver, and Richard E. Grant.
The nostalgic costume choices and set was done quite tastefully in my opinion and hopefully we will see a revival of the mess that was the mid 2000s. This bold choice also allowed the audience to understand their thoughts throughout the film. Instead of posting to social media every single time we think, the movie lets us unravel the character’s thoughts through simple contemplation.
Growing up, every single kid wished for a more luxurious lifestyle and we lived our fantasies through teen shows like Gossip Girl and The O.C. And this movie allowed the audience to live through the character’s money and power much like many early to mid 2000s shows.
One of my favorite elements of the movie was the symbolism throughout the film. Upon rewatching I caught many different symbols that I did not catch the first time.
The most notable is the puppet reference shown in the beginning of the movie when Oliver is first stepping foot in Saltburn. He observes the four puppets dancing when he presses the button on the box, which later on symbolizes his power over the family.
Another symbol that ties into the last is the rocks that are scattered in the lake every time somebody dies in the movie. Later on, Oliver takes the rocks from the lake of every member of the rich family he murders and places them upon the puppet box.
Though, my favorite piece of symbolism is Oliver’s birthday where the theme is ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
I think I should just address the elephant in the room, the bathtub scene. Even though I have to admit that I had to giggle a little to get over the discomfort, I was unable to turn away. In return, I heard the rest of the crowded theater surrounding me give off a wide range of reactions.
Most of them gasped in shock, while many others in the theater joined in the embarrassment of laughter.
The most shocking part of this scene was when Oliver began making out with the drain of the tub, mainly because of how unhygienic it was.
I’m not sure if you remember, but there was a time not too long ago when people were spending obscene amounts on Belle Delphine’s bath water.
So, while I found this scene rather humorous and gross all at the same time, I wouldn’t say I would totally rule out drinking Jacob Elordi’s bath water.
Speaking of Jacob Elordi, he is now the only man that has ever been able to pull off an eyebrow piercing. Anyways, I enjoyed getting to see him play a softer, more understanding character rather than a straight up asshole.
I thought his delivery, along with the portrayal of his character, Felix, made the movie 10 times better. In the film, he does not shy away from his more feminine side, especially toward the end when he is placed in golden angel wings.
The bold choice to have his character acknowledge his wealth and charisma allows the audience to form a more meaningful bond with the character.
I also think this allowed for the misdirection of his death. Because even though his character seems the most real out of the rest of his family, he still has manipulative and disarming qualities to him.
For example, his other friend, Farleigh, points out he does not know his footmens’ names. While Felix acknowledges it, his response shows how privileged he really is.
This allowed me to “somewhat” justify what Oliver does to the family and Felix later on in the movie.
I think Saltburn overall has begun the revival of cinema, or at least my love for it. Rarely do I see movies today that captivate me and deliver a real plot.
This thriller reminded me a lot of Under the Silver Lake, starring Andrew Garfield, which was also a psychological thriller that came out a few years ago. This year has really shown a growth for new movies to become instant cult classics and in my opinion ‘Saltburn’ is one of them.
I’m hoping that next year directors and actors will broaden their horizons and not be so afraid to put out something that is unusual and rather uncomfortable.
