A Deep Dive Into Digital Existence and Isolation

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MOVIE REVIEW
Coma
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Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Year Released: 2022, 2024
Runtime: 1h 22m
Director(s): Bertrand Bonello
Writer(s): Bertrand Bonello
Cast: Julia Faure, Louise Labèque, Ninon François, Bonnie Banane, Adilé David, Mathilde Riu, Violette Guillon, Léa Jousset, Laetitia Casta, Gaspard Ulliel, Vincent Lacoste, Louis Garrel, Anaïs Demoustier
Language: French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: opening theatrically at New York’s Roxy Cinema on May 17, 2024, with additional markets to follow

RAVING REVIEW: Step into the world of today's youth with Bertrand Bonello’s latest film, COMA. This thought-provoking exploration of adolescent life amidst the challenges of a global pandemic serves as a visually striking depiction of young individuals' complexities when their worlds are confined to the digital realm. It shows the reaches of creativity and the darkness of a world apart.

In Bonello’s COMA, viewers are treated to a unique exploration of a young woman's psychological and emotional journey during unprecedented times. Louise Labeque delivers a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a teen trapped within the walls of her mind and home. Her interactions are primarily shaped by the ethereal Patricia Coma, a vlogger who brings depth to the digital chaos of the pandemic. Played with a constant unknown by Julia Faure, Patricia becomes a digital beacon and a psychological mirror for Labeque’s character.

Bonello’s narrative style in COMA is cautionary and uniquely his own. He blends traditional filmmaking with innovative techniques like stop-motion, animation, and real-time video chats. This blend of styles enhances the storytelling and adds a layer of realism to the protagonist's isolation.

The film's opening is deeply personal—a monologue directed at Bonello's daughter, Anna Mouchette, which sets a tone of immediacy and concern. This narrative choice personalizes the story and universalizes the themes of growth and uncertainty faced by youth worldwide. It's a powerful start that resonates throughout the film, making Anna a symbol of both vulnerability and emerging strength.

A particularly striking metaphor in the film is the protagonist's dollhouse, where scenes of normalcy are acted out and paralleled with those of unknown terror. This serves as a poignant commentary on the protagonist’s struggle with a reality that is both invasive and surreal, reflecting the distortions that media can introduce into our perceptions of normalcy.

As the narrative unfolds, Bonello draws the audience into a maze of psychological and visual disorientation. COMA critiques the omnipresent media landscape and delves deep into its protagonist’s battles with identity and freedom against a societal crisis. The film’s commentary on the pandemics of culture, technology, and alienation is both timely and timeless, offering a sharp reflection on the conditions that shape contemporary life.

COMA tackles broader themes and challenges the audience to reconsider their views on youth and resilience in modern society. The film concludes on a cautiously hopeful note, advocating for perseverance and understanding in a world that remains fraught with complexity and contradiction. The film will be a guaranteed challenge for some to handle, between the more complex themes and the artsier take on the psychological aspects, but the journey is worth it.

COMA is a profound inquiry into the human spirit, navigating through an unseen fear, isolation, and the quest for personal agency. This film stands out for its narrative innovation, aesthetic finesse, and ability to engage with the core of what it means to be young in a rapidly changing world. It challenges viewers to think critically about the narratives we accept and the future we envision for the next generation.

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[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT]

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