Director: Al Pacino.
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Al Pacino, Kevin Anderson, Roxanne Hart.
Certificate: 15.
Running Time: 81 minutes.
Synopsis: The story of Salome, a young woman in biblical times, who becomes sexually awakened by the presence of John The Baptist who is currently being held in captivity.
SALOME is no easy sell of a film. Sure it’s got some incredible talent attached to it, but that talent doesn’t always seem to go together. A famous play by Oscar Wilde it may be, but Al Pacino’s interpretation is an odd beast. So odd in fact, that its description could no doubt put viewers off. It’s a filmed version of play that was shot during the play’s run. Not only that, but it is also more of a line reading, where the majority of characters are seated throughout. Thankfully, the film restricts itself in these ways in order to come to life in other ways.
Restricting the film so much means that the actors’ delivery of lines is the key focus here, and what delivery it is. Pacino’s dleivery of WIlde’s words is exactly how one would imagine it. He is loud, clear, and also very over the top. This provides much of the humour over the course of the running time, and also makes Pacino’s King Herod as sly and lecherous as he needs to be. Meanwhile Chastain nails Salome to perfection. She is sweet, innocent, but unmistakably sexy. She twists her character from adorable to cruel with both her voice and exceptional facial expressions.
Wordy it may be, but the entire cast creates pace thanks to their ability to play so well off one another. Perhaps the relaxed and natural delivery is enhanced by the wonderful costume design which utilises contemporary clothing. At times you forget it’s a biblical tale, and Pacino’s presence makes this more of a mafioso film set at a sinister banquet.
Pacino’s shooting style allows us to get closer than ever to the action on the stage. Every second feels as though we are a privileged VIP allowed to wonder on stage while the actors do their thing. You can also rest assured that the film most definitely uses the best takes making this seem like the most perfect iteration of the stage play. Despite this, there’s still a feeling of spontaneity that most films lack.
Salome is an astonishingly surprising experience and one of the best films in years. Although the idea of a filmed stage play in which the actors remained seated for the majority of the running time may not sound like a great night’s entertainment, the performances sky rocket Oscar Wilde’s unrelenting wit into the stratosphere. Chastain presents innocence and sultry lust while Pacino utilises an unrestrained performance to really capture the comedy and tension. Can’t wait to experience it again.
[usr=5] SALOME is out now.
