Review
DULCIE PEARCE
Harry Styles is only weak link in Don’t Worry Darling – a heart-racing thriller that will leave you very worried indeed
DON’T WORRY DARLING
(15) 122mins
★★★★☆
THERE has been plenty to worry about for director Olivia Wilde before the release of her much-anticipated film.
With reports of an on-set affair between her and lead man, Harry Styles, a supposed spat between her and lead woman, Florence Pugh, and having custody papers served by her “vicious” ex Jason Sudeikis, in front of an audience of 4,000 where she was promoting the film, it’s not be a calm pre-promotion for Wilde.
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With reports of an on-set affair between her and lead man Harry Styles, a supposed spat between her and lead woman, Florence Pugh, and having custody papers served by her “vicious” ex Jason Sudeikis, in front of an audience of 4,000 where she was promoting the film, it’s not be a calm pre-promotion for
But the road to success is never easy. And Wilde’s film is just that: an uneasy success.
This psychological thriller, written by Katie Silberman, immediately throws you into a world that looks too good to be true. Which usually means it is.
Loved-up married couple Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles) live in a world that looks like Madmen, Stepford Wives, The Truman Show and Edward Scissorhands combined.
They are completely devoted to each other in their 1950s perfect home.
Jack goes to work every day after a delicious breakfast cooked by Alice.
He pulls out of his driveway with all the other handsome men on the carbon copy estate, with their beautiful, scantily clad wives – including Bunny (Olivia Wilde) waving them off.
As the men work, the women spend the day cleaning, preening and cooking for their men.
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And when they return, it just gets better, with Alice opening the door to Jack in a sexy dress with a cocktail in hand – and then instantly making love on the dining table surrounded by serving plates full of delicious dinner.
However, something is very off and the company ‘the men’ work for – The Victory Project - run by a steely eyed Frank (Chris Pine) and his ballet teaching wife (Gemma Chan) is a mysterious place that often causes minor earthquakes in the perfect world.
And where the phrase: “There is beauty in control, there is grace in symmetry – we move as one" is repeated.
Frank is a cult leader character, who can never be questioned. That is until Alice starts asking some questions – and everything turns very dark indeed.
While Pugh is hypnotic in this performance, her ability only highlights how, sadly, Harry Styles is simply not an actor.
He has no depth in his eyes – they appear blank and non-committal in every scene.
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And his accent, which is confirmed to be ‘British’ halfway through the film, is all over the place.
But Styles is the only weak link in this heart-racing thriller that will leave you very worried indeed.
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