22/42
26 – ACOLYTE REVIEW!
The couple’s lives are turned upside down when their daughter is cast alongside a controversial big star. Referenced in The DA’S Office: Ep. Could This Be the End of DISNEY STAR WARS?
This state of affairs is set up from the start, and much of the marital unhappiness is Ben’s own fault
(2024). Ben, a successful but stuffy Anglo-Pakistani writer living in a luxurious modern country house, is stuck in a miserable marriage to Annette. He is clearly fed up with his unhappy spouse, while Annette is repressing her anger at Ben’s condescending attitude and lack of support after she gave up her career to raise their two children.
The eldest is 6-year-old Mathilda, who is cast in the film as the daughter of its main character
When Ben accompanies Matilda to the set every day, she becomes attracted to the lead actress Alicia, and Annette soon becomes suspicious. Deeper disagreements emerge as jealousy grows, and one wonders why the couple doesn’t just spend time on their dark union. .
Meanwhile, the story settles into a creative spiral, with all three main characters portrayed as deceitful, manipulative, and rather unpleasant
The story follows an unusual path until it reaches the surprise twist and melodramatic climax that is mandatory for this genre of film. The project may well be a commercial success, but 30 seconds of reflection after the end of the credits will have many shaking their heads at the characters’ superficiality and the implausibility of the plot. The acting is decent, but the flaws in the script leave one longing for a classic like “Body Heat” that turned deception and manipulation into an art form.