Brie Larson's long-awaited directorial debut comes in the form of Unicorn Store, which has made its way onto Netflix two years after its debut at Toronto Film Festival. With a script from Samantha McIntyre and hot on the heels of her Captain Marvel success, will Larson's first attempt behind the camera, directing her own performance, prove to be a success? Or will you be asking Netflix for a refund on your purchase?
Kit's artwork, populated by bright colours, lots of glitter and mythical creatures, is considered unrefined and she is forced to move back in with her parents, taking up an office job at a temp agency. When she is mysteriously invited to "The Store", a strange indeterminate place that sells "what you need", Kit's childhood fantasy to own a unicorn may finally be fulfilled. With frequent collaborator and friend Samuel L. Jackson along for the ride, Unicorn Store is a colourful, thoughtful, and promising directorial debut, in all its unrefined glory.
Unicorn Store is a solid if imperfect effort from first-time director Brie Larson. Captured in her direction is a real sense of whimsical wonder and while the fantasy isn't nailed down so confidently until the film's final moments, its rainbowed aesthetics are a visual delight. She's given free rein to accost audiences with an abundance of pastels to dazzle and she willingly indulges. Her frame composition is mightily impressive for a first attempt and although more refinement would enhance the film's flow, nobody expected a perfect effort straight off the bat. What it does so successfully though is illustrate so much potential in Larson's technique and vision moving forward; she's definitely got a directorial career if she seeks to continue along this path. Alex Greenwald's dreamily twinkly score is a lovely composition too which helps enhance the film's sincerity and tone.
There are ups and downs to Samantha McIntyre's screenplay. Its story is light and more of a collection of thoughts and ideas (of dreamers and uniqueness) than a fully-formed, developed idea. Kit's character arc doesn't always track, with some jarring behaviour from scene to scene, and, frankly, it's a little bit messy -- but maybe that's part of the idea? Maybe the childlike nature of Kit's creations was designed to be reflected in a rough-around-the-edges feature, itself imperfect and unrefined? If so, it's an excellent decision, even if it doesn't lead to the smoothest filmmaking experience. For the most part though, Unicorn Store achieves the tonal balance it strives towards and considers some touching thematic content in the meantime, including mental health and the pressure of growing up.
Unsurprisingly though, the Best Actress-winner is stronger in front of the camera, delivering her most impressive non-superhero work since her Oscar win. While there's less success with some of the script's comedy elsewhere, Larson so beautifully balances the quirky humour with some genuinely profound emotion, mastering a perfect calibration of the two. With real sophistication, Larson conveys the most nuanced of emotion with the slightest, simplest expression, and it's extraordinary to witness. In the scenes shared with Jackson, she thrives and the pair's in-built chemistry really help engage audiences to the fascinating dynamic you can never quite pin down. Mamoudou Athie's supporting role is a minor triumph too, bringing an earnest sweetness to the picture and relationship.
More than anything, Brie Larson's directorial debut is an endearing effort; you find yourself rooting for both Kit and Larson as a filmmaker. Undoubtedly a stronger performer than she is a director in this instance, it still displays plenty of promise for her career behind the camera moving forward. Like the mythical creature in its title, Unicorn Store is, for better or worse, entirely its own unique beast and its colourful heart and profound emotion will win audiences over with a predisposition for whimsical wonder.
Also, Mystic Vac for Best Original Song!
7/10
Summary: Lovely and magical and very sweet, Brie Larson's Unicorn Store is as childlike as its main character's artwork and while this colourful whimsy won't be for everyone, it is an endearing endeavour that launches Larson's career behind the camera while ensuring it continues thrives in front of it too.
Kit's artwork, populated by bright colours, lots of glitter and mythical creatures, is considered unrefined and she is forced to move back in with her parents, taking up an office job at a temp agency. When she is mysteriously invited to "The Store", a strange indeterminate place that sells "what you need", Kit's childhood fantasy to own a unicorn may finally be fulfilled. With frequent collaborator and friend Samuel L. Jackson along for the ride, Unicorn Store is a colourful, thoughtful, and promising directorial debut, in all its unrefined glory.
Unicorn Store is a solid if imperfect effort from first-time director Brie Larson. Captured in her direction is a real sense of whimsical wonder and while the fantasy isn't nailed down so confidently until the film's final moments, its rainbowed aesthetics are a visual delight. She's given free rein to accost audiences with an abundance of pastels to dazzle and she willingly indulges. Her frame composition is mightily impressive for a first attempt and although more refinement would enhance the film's flow, nobody expected a perfect effort straight off the bat. What it does so successfully though is illustrate so much potential in Larson's technique and vision moving forward; she's definitely got a directorial career if she seeks to continue along this path. Alex Greenwald's dreamily twinkly score is a lovely composition too which helps enhance the film's sincerity and tone.
There are ups and downs to Samantha McIntyre's screenplay. Its story is light and more of a collection of thoughts and ideas (of dreamers and uniqueness) than a fully-formed, developed idea. Kit's character arc doesn't always track, with some jarring behaviour from scene to scene, and, frankly, it's a little bit messy -- but maybe that's part of the idea? Maybe the childlike nature of Kit's creations was designed to be reflected in a rough-around-the-edges feature, itself imperfect and unrefined? If so, it's an excellent decision, even if it doesn't lead to the smoothest filmmaking experience. For the most part though, Unicorn Store achieves the tonal balance it strives towards and considers some touching thematic content in the meantime, including mental health and the pressure of growing up.
Unsurprisingly though, the Best Actress-winner is stronger in front of the camera, delivering her most impressive non-superhero work since her Oscar win. While there's less success with some of the script's comedy elsewhere, Larson so beautifully balances the quirky humour with some genuinely profound emotion, mastering a perfect calibration of the two. With real sophistication, Larson conveys the most nuanced of emotion with the slightest, simplest expression, and it's extraordinary to witness. In the scenes shared with Jackson, she thrives and the pair's in-built chemistry really help engage audiences to the fascinating dynamic you can never quite pin down. Mamoudou Athie's supporting role is a minor triumph too, bringing an earnest sweetness to the picture and relationship.
More than anything, Brie Larson's directorial debut is an endearing effort; you find yourself rooting for both Kit and Larson as a filmmaker. Undoubtedly a stronger performer than she is a director in this instance, it still displays plenty of promise for her career behind the camera moving forward. Like the mythical creature in its title, Unicorn Store is, for better or worse, entirely its own unique beast and its colourful heart and profound emotion will win audiences over with a predisposition for whimsical wonder.
Also, Mystic Vac for Best Original Song!
7/10
Summary: Lovely and magical and very sweet, Brie Larson's Unicorn Store is as childlike as its main character's artwork and while this colourful whimsy won't be for everyone, it is an endearing endeavour that launches Larson's career behind the camera while ensuring it continues thrives in front of it too.