Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood) has grown up as the only child to two perpetual grifters, Theresa (Debra Winger) and Robert (Richard Jenkins), who are determined to live outside of the system. They also use Dolio to pull off their schemes to earn an income and it’s apparent from the start that she is starved of attention and affection. It’s at this point that the family encounters Melanie (Gina Rodriguez), a young woman that they rope into helping with a con, abd who changes the family dynamic forever.
Evan Rachel Wood is one of the few actors that has made that transition beyond her child star beginnings. Many fail at going from one to the other, but she has managed to pull it off, mainly thanks to her savvy project choices. She is an actor who seems to feel more at home within the world of independent films rather than franchises, making Kajillionaire the perfect fit. Here she breathes life into Old Dolio, a young woman who has been stunted emotionally by her overbearing, but aloof parents. It’s a tricky role to play, but Wood is no stranger to those, and she effortlessly imbues Dolio with several contradictory personality traits that somehow combine to create a sympathetic lead. When we first meet her, she’s standoffish, but as the film develops, we get glimpses behind her facade. Once you understand her plight, you can’t help but feel for the character. Gina Rodriguez offers the perfect counterpart, Melanie all bubbly and personable. Her positivity and tactile nature is infectious; the film, much like Dolio, only truly comes to life when she arrives on screen. The interactions between the pair offer some of the more touching and comedic moments of the film, with both actors bringing their A-games.
With Kajillionaire, Miranda July has expertly crafted a modern day fairy-tale. Dolio is the damsel in distress, only she is not aware of that. Her parents are the monsters, using their daughter for their own agenda, having essentially brainwashed her to be under their control. Then we have Melanie as our Knight in shining armour who attempts to rescue Dolio from her entrapment. The story that fits within this framework is far more complex than your traditional ‘once upon a time’ and makes for a compelling watch. It does however, suffer at times tonally, and those not on board with whimsical oddball characters and situations will struggle to fully connect to the piece.
Those that are able to embrace the oddities though will find much to enjoy about Kajillionaire. As kooky as it might be, it does tackle some really tough issues around the bonds of family and the age old nature-versus-nurture debate. This is explored through the difference in family dynamics between Dolio and her parents, and Melanie and her mother. The latter is especially interesting as Melanie and her mother appear particularly close even though we only ever hear her mother via the phone. In contrast, Dolio spends every waking moment with her parents and yet has no connection with them whatsoever. They come across as co-workers, something that the parents have encouraged, and it paints a very tragic picture.
Kajillionaire plays at times as the hipster cousin to Little Miss Sunshine, sharing a similar spirit, though amping the quirk factor up a few notches. A film not necessarily for the masses, but one that the few will cherish.
Kajillionaire was reviewed at the BFI London Film Festival. It arrives in UK cinemas on Friday 9th October 2020.
Kajillionaire
Summary
Evan Rachel Wood once again proves why she’s one of the greatest actors around in this quirky and thoughtful reworking of a tale as old as time.
