Starry Eyes

Since it's still on Netflix, everyone who enjoys horror movies should take the time to watch Starry Eyes. It is a deeply unsettling exploration of ambition and just how far down a horrifyingly dark path that ambition takes the protagonist. Of course this is a god awful extreme and wholly impossible example of the dangers of ambition, with a suitably gory and violent climax; it is, after all, a horror movie. It really is a fascinating story though, complete with a cult consisting of Satanic Hollywood producers, the occult, and murder. There is a lovely meta element to the movie, wherein a movie producer talks about how disgusting and pathetic ambition makes people in the filmmaking industry...which serves as a bit of foreshadowing just before everything goes terribly sideways. I noticed that it was still available on Netflix this afternoon and decided that I should recommend it.

I say sort of because the film has an unnerving and tense momentum, with some truly freaky and horrifying (good horrifying) images and scenes. It's kind of obvious where the film is going though, but it has some clever direction and again, disorienting in a good way in some of its pacing and tone. The lead actress is really good, very unnerving. The problem is that the film also has these weak spots here and there, and I wish the last 15 minutes had at least tries to do a bit more than what we regularly get from horror films like this. Still, it's actually quite a nice surprise in some of the things it does. This is actually recommended.

What do you do when you come to the conclusion that the film you just started watching, probably will end up in your top 10 of the most vexing and lousy movies ever? Indeed, swiftly start another film in the hope that it will be a better one. The same happened to me tonight after watching "Muck" for 15 minutes. First there was the rather abrupt beginning where it was immediately clear what acting level I was dealing with (again some selected B-actors). And then the opening credits appeared which were more focused on the silicone attachments of a half-naked, rotating cheerleader who stumbles back and forth in what looked like a swamp. And especially when one of those bimbo's was wondering whether or not there was liquor in the house they saw in the distance. And she was wondering about that in such a way that it looked as if she was planning to start a party with her frolicsome friends, while one of them was bleeding to dead and apparently they left two others behind that were killed. For me that was the moment to grab the remote control and save myself from further suffering. Fortunately, because "Starry Eyes" is of a whole other level and the content is a lot more original. It's equivalent to "Spring", which I've seen recently. Not that the core of the story has never been used in a film before, but its impact and the way it evolves, made sure it was yet again a unique experience.

Sarah (Alex Essoe) is an actress who apparently can't manage to get a role in a film. Every day she consults a website where ads are placed by producers and movie houses that are looking for new acting talent. Mostly these are low-budget and arty film projects. Meanwhile, she works as a "Tater Girl" at Big Taters, a kind of McDonalds run by a perverse-looking manager. He's someone who always brings up some philosophical theory about how they all function as one big family, but ultimately he's more interested in certain curves of Sarah (particularly her perfect butt looks appetizing in her stretchy work uniform). Sarah shares an apartment with her friend Tracy (Amanda Fuller) and in her free time she hangs out with Tracy's friends who encourage and support her. Except Erin (Fabianne Therese) who can't resist to make arrogant and hurtful remarks all the time. Until one day Sarah needs to do an audition for Astreus Pictures and she is willing to do anything to achieve her goal.

In short you can summarize "Starry Eyes" as follows : a sort of "Rosemary's Baby" (but in another sinister way), with the terrifying consequences as in "Contracted" or "The Fly" and this mixed with the better slasher work from horror films in the 80's. The producers of this film have chosen a tranquil development of the story. Therefore it will take some time before it starts to get all gloomy and scary. But the big finale is worth it. The first part they've put enough energy into the introduction of the different characters. Sarah is a fragile and sometimes puny-looking character who's full of doubts. Doubts about her skills, her talent and her appearance. She looks like someone with an eating disorder who snatches hair from her head at stressful moments. According to her so she can concentrate herself again. She's an insecure person full of complexes. Even her smile is uncertain (and uncannily resembles that of Keira Knightley, which gives me even extra shivers). The friends of Tracy, however, is a hotchpotch of libertines who live from day to day (sleeping in a van in someone's garden) and give the impression as if they walk around constantly drunk or high and party all the time. A group of hedonists, but with envy and hypocrisy just around the corner.

"Starry Eyes" won't be appreciated by everyone. On the one hand, it 's sometimes quite bizarre to observe. The two people at the table during the audition at Astreus Pictures and the manager of Big Taters are a living proof of that. Bizarre characters who undoubtedly deserve a place in a mental institution. On the other hand the slow transformation that Sarah undergoes isn't exactly appetizing to look at. The reward that she gets by meeting certain requirements that were asked by the producer Astreus Pictures, is preceded by a period in which Sarah deteriorates both physical and psychological. She slowly turns into an unreal individual with psychopathic tendencies resulting in a bloody final piece. The way Alex Essoe gives shape to the character Sarah, is at times brilliant. The final transformation leaves an overwhelming impression and shows the natural beauty she possesses. Hopefully we'll see her again as a leading actress in another movie. Also Fabianne Therese as the fake girlfriend who's constantly trying to undermine Sarah's confidence and the eccentric Taters boss (Pat Healy) were enjoyable. And finally Mary Olsen and Marc Senter as the casting director and her assistant fitted perfect in it.

Of course, some will say that the final story is not too original, and it eventually became a typical horror with some gore clichéd images. But for me this was a successful and impressing film that after a patiently build up beginning, bursts out into a climax. Perhaps the macabre character of this film and the quirky way of elaboration made it into a memorable one. The only thing I was slightly disappointed about was the total lack of background information about the satanic (if you can call it that way) sect. It remains a bit mysterious. However, I am sure this film left that monstrosity called "Muck", effortlessly behind. A fascinating film!

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Alex Essoe is a really good actress and she was brilliant in this. This move delves into the sometimes morally vague and downright bad things people feel forced to do in order to achieve their dreams of fortune and fame. This movie is better than most "seedy underbelly of Hollywood" type tales. It is better than The Last Tycoon (starring a young Bobby De Niro) and infinitely superior to the superficially pretty but bland and unrewarding Neon Demon. The plot is sort of predictable, but the performances and direction is really excellent, so that doesn't matter. I really liked it. There are lot of unprofessional and immoral demands on actresses that go unsaid and there should be more films like this.

Aspiring actress, Sarah Walker (Alexandra Essoe) auditions for a part in a horror film. Hoping not only to get her "big break", but also to escape her dismal life, including her job at a bottom-of-the-barrel restaurant, Sarah is quite desperate.

Her interactions with the movie's Producer (Louis Dezseran) and his Casting Director (Maria Olsen) grow increasingly bizarre and uncomfortable. Sarah has no idea what she must sacrifice in order for her dreams to come true. Resisting at first, her life begins to change into a nightmare world of physical and mental disintegration. Sarah finally realizes what she is being compelled to do, but can she do it?

STARRY EYES is an exceptional horror film, and a darkly satirical look at the cost of fame. Ms. Essoe is phenomenal, pretty much carrying the entire movie on the strength of her performance. If you're tired of the same old thing in horror films, then give this a shot...