Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Saltburn

Saltburn is maybe a return to cinema greatness for a year that has struggled to impress me. Other than Aussie horror film, Talk To Me.

With a massive soundtrack including the most wild dance, solo scene to Sophie Ellis-Bexter's Murder on the Dance Floor. Wild!

Starring an all star cast, Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe. 

The film is set in England in 2007, it follows a young university student who becomes infatuated with his aristocratic schoolmate and his wealthy but eccentric family. Now this is where Hollywood and the writers/actors strike is falling behind.

Because those big blockbusters are becoming more and more forget-able. Whilst original, fun films like Saltburn appear to be what audiences and critics are in search of. With The Marvels opening to the worst Marvel opening weekend of all time. Comic book films are on a serious decline. After the dreadful Blue Beetle. I was so happy to see something fresh and provocative in Saltburn. Which had its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was released in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2023, and in the United States via a limited theatrical release the same day, before expanding wide on November 22, 2023.

With a limited release in the US means this film may not have been exactly what US audiences are able to understand or find as enjoyable as another disposable Hollywood blockbuster.

Struggling to find his place at Oxford University in 2006, Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family's sprawling estate, one summer.

The final scene is a Midsummer's Night's Dream-themed party, with each guest dressed to match their character.

I was hooked. The dialogue was sharp, the music (as above) was banging. From Princess Superstar to MGMT and all the indie favs of the mid 2000's.

This was a return to great cinema. Crowds are going due to the talking points, the wild finale and a stellar cast. The same can not be said about recent duds like Freelance.

Hollywood, the strikes may be over but you have a lot of work to do to get crowds back to cinemas.

Saltburn was great fun, 4.5 Stars. On par with this years best which I am proud to say is an Australian film!