Cannes Premiere: Lanthimos Returns with Darkly Comic "Kinds of Kindness"

Cannes Film Festival - Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos unveils his latest project, "Kinds of Kindness," at Cannes, a darkly comedic triptych starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, and others. Following his award-winning films "The Favourite" and "Poor Things," Lanthimos opts for a more intimate format, abandoning period settings and grand narratives for three contemporary American tales linked by a shared cast.

A Return to Roots for Lanthimos Fans

Co-written with frequent collaborator Efthymis Filippou, "Kinds of Kindness" marks a return to Lanthimos' roots. The film evokes the unsettling humor and absurdist scenarios of his earlier works like "The Lobster" and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer." Fans will likely relish this return to the director's signature style, complete with a trademark wacky dance sequence in the finale.

Black Comedy with Bite: Three Interconnected Stories

The film unfolds through three interconnected blackly comic sketches. The first stars Plemons as a corporate drone subjected to the whims of a reptilian boss played by Dafoe. The boss dictates every aspect of Plemons' life, from attire to conjugal relations, in exchange for rare sports memorabilia. The narrative explores themes of corporate absurdity and the lengths one might go to for validation.

Domestic Disarray and Cults: Recurring Themes Explored

The second segment finds Plemons as a policeman grappling with the return of his seemingly changed wife (Stone) after a disappearance at sea. The third story features Plemons and Stone as members of a peculiar seaside cult led by Dafoe and Chau, on a quest to find a woman with the power of resurrection. These interconnected narratives explore Lanthimos' familiar territory: the dark underbelly of human relationships and the extremes of codependency.

Critical Take: Uneven Execution, Signature Style

While the first segment is praised for its devilish corporate satire reminiscent of Armando Iannucci's work, the following stories are considered less focused. Nevertheless, the performances are lauded across the board, showcasing Lanthimos' deadpan genius that straddles humor and horror. Reviewers note that each story, exceeding an hour in length, could benefit from tighter editing.

Balancing Dark Humor and Cruelty

The film's title, "Kinds of Kindness," is noted for its irony. While Lanthimos' brand of dark comedy is established, the review highlights moments when the cruelty becomes excessive. The recurring motif of female humiliation and the gratuitous use of nudity are points of contention, particularly for those who defended the thematic relevance of such elements in "Poor Things."

Overall, "Kinds of Kindness" offers a return to Yorgos Lanthimos' signature style, with darkly comedic sketches exploring warped human relationships. While uneven pacing and thematic concerns are raised, the film is likely to resonate with fans of the director's unique vision.

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