Unicorn Store

Unicorn store is a magnificent modern tale like The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939) was in its time, a metaphoric movie to be apprehended at the second degree. As a child, Kit radiates happiness until gradually becoming a young hardly-happy adult. She's single, unemployed, glued to the sofa in front of the TV all day, able to drink a full glass of wine at one gulp without even realizing it, ... until an unusual salesman from an unusual store disrupts her life. This film deals mainly with stereotypes, conformism and the difficulty of leaving a childhood filled with dreams, to join a world of adults devoid of joy or benevolence.

Growing old does not necessarily mean growing up...

Unicorn store is the first movie directed by Brie Larson, sensational actress in Short Term 12 or Room for instance, and requires then a minimum of indulgence. On April the 5th, 2019, the ratings distribution on IMDb is literally extra-ordinary, with an anti-Gaussian curve: either we worship this movie (25% of 9 or 10), either we hate it (55% of 1 or 2), with a staggering total of 80% with these two extremist groups! I find myself torn by contradictory feelings, as usual in some way, but I globally enjoyed this movie. Although it's imperfect, it's definitely worth a try. And even more than this.

Unicorn Store is delightful, quirky and charming film sparkles with feminine energy and pastel colors (I love the hues in this movie). It perfectly captures the "millenial life crisis" that's why it is also relatable. But... as wonderful as the story is, it needs a little more sophistication and depth, and less straightforwardness. Interesting idea from the trailer, but it stops there. It tries to come off as deeply profound yet in the end there's no follow through. Props to all the actors involved though! They did a great job- really amazing acting performances from everyone.

As for Brie Larson's directional debut, this film is a valid effort, but it's obvious the lack of filmmaking maturity. She can do better next time (and I'll surely wait for that movie).

Summary? Still a good watch. One of those movie you can play on TV while doing something else... like washing the dishes, or scrolling through your Twitter.

Immersed in a magical realm of glitter, rainbows and unicorns, Kit radiates happiness and positive energy to the outside world. Yet darkness begins to creep into her life. Kit is rejected from art school, cannot find a job or mate, and is subjected to constant needling from parents who are encouraging her to leave the nest. In the face of such pressure, feeling unappreciated and losing faith in her dreams and artistic abilities, Kit displays uncharacteristic behavior. She slips on a bleak business suit and obtains a job at a soul snuffing ad agency with a creepy boss. This is when mysterious invitations arrive at Kit's desk luring her into believing in unicorns again. Friends and family consider an intervention as Kit responds to the invitations, begins building a stable worthy of a unicorn and prepares to smother her unicorn with love.

Brie Larson directs the film and stars as Kit, a creative woman with a fierce desire to be seen for who she truly is. This delightful, quirky and charming film sparkles with feminine energy and pastel colors. Even Samuel Jackson, with a supporting role, is part of the magic and glow. As wonderful as the story is, it needs a little more sophistication and depth, and less straightforwardness. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.

So objectively this movie is not so great, has many flaws and you will probably not like it.

But I loved it and it devastated me with each simple message, like how hard it is to be loved and not doubt oneself when a person is just different and not in the holywoody good polished funny way or how is it to doubt own sanity and validity for it. The purity of the unicorn and the mess of the real live and whatnot. Yes the movie is not very good but I would still recommend it to anyone feeling a bit out of place most of the time.

Also the love they have for each other in the family, combined with the inability to understand each other and the efforts they all put in it in their own ways is just gut wrenching and a strong good message of the movie, if nothing else.

I'm probably not the target market for this film, maybe it resonates better with younger or female audiences. I did watch the whole thing so it wasn't horrible, I did want to see how it ended.

It's a story about a young woman trying to figure out life and her place in it and how to relate to her family and friends and humanity in general. She seems to gain some insight through her journey. There is a bit of magical realism done in a somewhat clever manner that adds to the allegorical feel.

I did other things while watching it and found it to be okay entertainment to pass the time.