While A24 has a reputation for a certain kind of film, I have to admit there are a few that I think miss the mark. It is given that they have a style and tend to lean towards a genre, but there are sometimes when I think they are venturing a little far from movies that are worthy of their logo. While this is few and far between, you never know when or where it will strike. But I think this film definitely lives up to the company’s tone. Pearl is the prequel to Ti West’s “X.” This is the story of Pearl and Howard, long before a film troupe came to disrupt their lives. We see Pearl’s farm life while Howard was at war and begin to understand the things that make her the woman she later becomes. Understanding the family, she came from and the environment she tried to escape is easy. What we come to find out is how everything comes together to create this origin story. And suddenly you see references to X, helping you understand.
Cinematically A24 is known for having something to offer in every film. it isn’t always the same, but it is always an “A24 vibe” that is singularly theirs. This film is no different. There is a nostalgic and classic feel, that almost reminds you of a Rogers and Hammerstein musical or something you might see from the forties. The aesthetic is not only well balanced, but it has a subtle beauty that speaks to the time and place it represents. It might not always make sense or feel comfortable, but that is all by design. And i think it speaks to the cinematographer, being able to provide such a classic look that can still keep your teeth grit tight. The color palette and mood manipulation facets of this film easily play a part, though it is the most subtle of parts, in carrying the film. It is easy to feel light and happy, but still wonder why you feel uneasy, when they want you to. And it’s no coincidence that when Pearl is with her family you can feel the weight of the mood holding you down.
The film direction isn’t anything new, but it is definitely quality. There are some amazing scenes that are equally gory and gorgeous. The ability to put the film together in a way that seems so effortless you don’t think about the direction is definitely a feat that is lost on many. The acting is great and feels so natural. i think that it really shows how well a cast can do when they complement a director so well. There is a connection between everyone that seems to work to show off the story in more ways than just dialogue and pictures. The storyline is something that isn’t exactly original, but the way it is told is one that is unique. It feels like the story of a farm girl that just wants to get away and live her dreams of being a dancer. Nothing new. But, when you put it in the hands of someone who knows how to make it feel fresh and gritty in the most horrific of ways, it becomes something else entirely.
Overall, I thought it was a great movie. There were some pretty shocking moments, so it isn’t for the faint of heart. It makes a great prequel that adds plenty of value to the character it represents. And really, it’s just fun to watch if you like gore and horror. I would give it eight and three quarters…which I guess is practically a nine, anyway. So, it’s a nine. Definitely worth the time and money to see it. If nothing else, just for the rolling credits.
