'High-Rise' (15)

*****

Shortly after moving into a new high-rise building on the edge of town, Dr. Robert Laing finds that his fellow residents are at war with each other, the world and, most importantly, the building itself.

 

I wonder if 'High-Rise' is not so much a film, but an art installation - a towering, feature-length exhibition, but an art installation nonetheless. Powered by Ben Wheatley's dynamic vision and Amy Jump's brilliant screenplay of a book that was meant to be 'unfilmable', we have here a piece of art that is truly excellent. Each shot is framed like a painting, beautifully indicative of the madness to follow, with characters often being shunted to the side of the shot so that the audience can gain sight of the space of the building. Each character is an enigma - there is very little expression of feeling in this cold world - and yet utterly beguiling and transfixing. So strange are the people in the high-rise that even when all is grim and depraved, we keep on watching to see what they will do next. The haunting soundtrack by Clint Mansell perfectly complements the eerie descent into madness, including two mesmeric renditions of Abba's 'S.O.S'; one orchestral, the other a pseudo synth-pop version that rings long in the ears after the track has finished. Whilst other soundtracks can be accused of telling the audience how to react to a scene, this one feels as abstract and chaotic as the deterioration portrayed on screen - it is truly remarkable.

 

At the centre of it all is Robert Laing, perfectly portrayed by the enigmatic Tom Hiddleston. Largely silent and ever-watchful, Laing is a character who remains impossible to pin down, who is at once a guiding figure for us as the audience, and also a man who, at times, disgusts us. Hiddleston's face remains unreadable throughout - it is an outstanding performance, restrained and intriguing as everyone else descends into loud, shouting madness. Opposite to Laing is Richard Wilder (Luke Evans), an almost hedonistic man who arguably leads the lower-level masses in revolt against the higher classes. This character could easily have become a caricature, but Evans' performance is pitch perfect - both threatening and somehow wise. As Laing says, he's the 'sanest person in the building'.

 

If I had one reservation, it would be that there is possibly too much gratuitous sex, from people copulating in the background, to one female character asking who was going to 'fuck her in the ass'. I appreciate that the sexual depictions further cement the idea that the humans are descending into primitivism and animal-esque behaviour, but I think we would have got the point without so much humping going on.

 

Go to see Tom Hiddleston sunbathing naked, and stay for a visually stunning film that will stay with you for some time afterwards. With ubiquitously outstanding performances across the board, the chilling soundtrack, and a magnificent screenplay, it's an eerily captivating experience that will leave you pondering human behaviour.