Film Review: 'Aftersun'
Written and directed by Charlotte Wells in her feature film debut, ‘Aftersun’ tells a profound story of childhood innocence and the growing pressures of adulthood. Starring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio, we follow a father and daughters' holiday abroad.
Throughout the film, our main characters Calum and Sophie record their trip on a camcorder that will later be used to recollect Sophies last moments spent time with her father. This allows Sophie to see her dad as a real person quietly suffering through life.
The film acts as a reflection of their time spent together 20 years on, with Sophie’s growth into an adult giving her a new perspective on life. Away from the idealistic filter of childhood, Sophie is able to reveal cracks in her perfect father figure that as a child had yet to be broken.
Throughout the film, Calum is persistent in reminding Sophie that she can tell him anything. This juxtaposes Calum's own feelings as he stays silent through his own, dealing with severe depression. The film also tackles the possible hereditary effects of Calum's own mental health issues passing down to Sophie. An idea that terrifies Calum.
Paul Mescal puts in a masterful performance that sees the Irish actor’s first-ever Oscar nomination at 27 years of age, for best actor. His expert portrayal of depression is both subtle and masterful in its depiction of a man holding on for his daughter. However, we see on multiple occasions Calum’s lack of care for his own well-being with hints towards him ending his own life as he gradually breaks down.
Paul Mescal on a Q&A panel for God's Creatures at the 2022 Quinzaine des Réalisateurs. Picture source: Q&A GOD'S CREATURES
The film also benefits from its precise use of colour and its thought-provoking cinematography. The colour palate is reminiscent of a memory and makes the film feel almost nostalgic. The cinematography in the film reflects our character’s state of mind, telling a story visually where the script refuses to spell it out for the viewer.
The film’s soundtrack is also key in Aftersun’s success. A scene featuring David Bowie and Queen’s ‘Under Pressure’ is the accumulation of this film’s mastery and perfectly encapsulates a father and daughter’s “last dance”. The swelling of the song, remixed by score composer Oliver Coates, isolates the vocals to create a deeply intimate moment.
This acts as the emotional climax of the film ending the holiday’s course of events before we see Calum wave off his daughter as she boards a plane home to her mother. We watch this moment with an adult Sophie, as she sees herself leave her father for the last time.
The camcorder shuts off and we then see the moments after as the camera turns to show Calum alone walking away for seemingly the last time as we’re left to wonder what came of Calum’s fate, with it never being explicitly stated.
Aftersun is available to stream on Prime Video and MUBI.
★★★★★