First-time feature director Fleur Fortuné comes to Toronto with a high-concept sci-fi of the old school. It’s a speculative and futurist contrivance that’s elegant, amusing, discomfiting and just the right side of preposterous. It’s an absurdist psychodrama of planned parenthood which mixes Brave New World with a little bit of Abigail’s Party.The Fire Inside review – blazing boxing drama packs a serious punchRead moreThe scene is a part of planet Earth salvaged or cordoned off from the rest of the world which was long ago destroyed by climate change. This fiercely protected and controlled new temperate zone is populated by the upper echelons of society. Criminals and undesirables are exiled to the ravaged and parched wasteland left behind: the “old world”. But the new-world elite must conform to the edicts of a blandly authoritarian government and one of the most important rules is that, due to finite resources, couples wanting children have to submit to an “assessment” of their relationship and babies have to be grown ex utero from the applicants’ genetic materials.Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) are very important people: he is a scientist working in AI and she’s a plant biologist working on new organic energy sources. They are smoothly confident that their assessment will be successful. But the questioning is way beyond anything like, say, the adoption procedure of the old days; it will take seven days during which the assessor will actually live with the couple – and this is the deeply disturbing Virginia, sinuously played byAlicia Vikander.Virginia is dressed with Mary Poppins correctness and speaks with the smiley enigmatic quality of the robot Vikander played in Alex Garland’s film Ex Machina. She asks intimate questions about their relationship and gives no hint of what the right answer might be. She insists on inspecting them having sex. (Are they doing it properly? Is this the right kind of caring lovemaking?) And then she brings in role play, and insists the couple host an excruciating dinner party with friends and family.Her own behaviour becomes more erratic and infantile and inappropriate as she becomes a disturbed child who’s had a bad dream and wants to get into bed with mummy and daddy. Is this role play an accepted way of assessing their relationship? Should they be indulgent or strict? But that might not be what’s happening here. Is it rather that Virginia has had a massive work-related breakdown and now wishes merely to use her absolute power to destroy their relationship? Or is she perhaps daring them to assess her own intentions? And so Virginia carries on, as inscrutable, seductive and scary, perhaps, as Terence Stamp in Pasolini’s Teorema. The three leads deliver very watchable performances: each theatrical and self-aware in a different way, but coolly calibrated; and there are very entertaining supporting turns from Minnie Driver, Indira Varma and Charlotte Ritchie.And the ultimate irony is that it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine a child existing in this emotionally cold and desolate world in any case (and that’s despite evidence that some couples are indeed successful in their applications). Children are just yearned-for ideas, aspirations that are there to smother memories of agonised relationships with their own parents. And also, perhaps, to smother memories of what’s happened to the planet. Opinions may divide about the extended coda that Fortuné gives her story but it is evidence that she is ambitious for something that eludes so many film-makers: an ending. It’s a stylish debut.The Assessment screened at theToronto film festival.
The Assessment review – Alicia Vikander is future parents’ worst nightmare
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Fleur Fortuné's 'The Assessment' Explores Dystopian Parenthood in a Climate-Ravaged World"
The Guardian
6.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Fleur Fortuné's directorial debut, 'The Assessment,' presents an intriguing exploration of parenthood in a dystopian future ravaged by climate change. Set in a controlled environment where only the elite reside, the narrative follows Mia, a plant biologist, and Aaryan, an AI scientist, as they navigate a rigorous evaluation process mandated by an authoritarian government for couples wishing to conceive. This process, termed an 'assessment,' is no mere formality; it involves an invasive, week-long scrutiny by Virginia, a disturbingly enigmatic assessor played by Alicia Vikander. Virginia's methods are unsettling as she probes into the couple's relationship with intimate questions, insists on witnessing their sexual interactions, and orchestrates uncomfortable social scenarios, including a dinner party with family and friends. The couple's confidence begins to wane as Virginia's behavior grows increasingly erratic, blurring the lines between professional assessment and personal invasion.
The film intricately weaves themes of emotional desolation and societal expectations into its narrative. As Virginia's role evolves from a detached evaluator to a more complex character with potentially destructive motives, the audience is left questioning her true intentions. The performances by Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel as the central couple are complemented by a strong supporting cast, including Minnie Driver and Indira Varma. Fortuné's ambition is evident in her attempts to deliver a thought-provoking conclusion, challenging viewers to reflect on the implications of parenthood in a world stripped of warmth and genuine connection. The film's extended coda, which may polarize opinions, serves to accentuate its central themes: the yearning for children as a means to mask troubled familial legacies and the environmental devastation that looms over their future. 'The Assessment' stands out as a stylish and ambitious debut, leaving audiences to grapple with the implications of its narrative long after the credits roll.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article explores a thought-provoking sci-fi film directed by Fleur Fortuné, which delves into themes of planned parenthood in a dystopian future. This narrative sets a backdrop that is rich for analysis, particularly in relation to societal norms and the implications of authoritarian governance over personal choices.
Purpose of Publication
The primary aim of this article appears to be to provoke thought and discussion about the implications of a controlled society where personal freedoms, especially regarding family planning, are heavily regulated. By highlighting the absurdity and discomfort of the assessment process for prospective parents, the article invites readers to reflect on contemporary issues related to reproductive rights and environmental degradation.
Intended Public Perception
The article is likely designed to generate a sense of unease regarding the future of societal norms, particularly around parenthood and governmental control. It suggests a future that is both amusing and alarming, encouraging audiences to consider the potential consequences of climate change and authoritarianism.
Omissions or Concealments
There may be underlying themes regarding the socio-political climate that the article does not explicitly address, such as the current debates surrounding reproductive rights. By focusing on a fictional narrative, the article might divert attention from pressing real-world issues related to environmental policies and government surveillance.
Manipulative Elements
The film's premise and the portrayal of the assessment process could be seen as a form of social commentary that manipulates audience emotions by highlighting the absurdity of the situation. This manipulation is achieved through the use of exaggerated characters and scenarios that reflect contemporary anxieties about personal freedoms in the face of climate crisis and government intervention.
Degree of Truthfulness
While the article presents a fictional story, the themes resonate with real-world issues, making it relevant and thought-provoking. The portrayal of the future is speculative but serves to mirror current societal fears.
Societal Message
The underlying message may suggest a warning about the direction in which society could head if current trends in environmental degradation and authoritarian governance continue unchecked.
Connections to Other Reports
This article could connect with other narratives around climate change and governance, particularly those highlighting the erosion of personal freedoms and the growing influence of technology in everyday life.
Impact on Society, Economy, and Politics
Should the themes of the article resonate with audiences, it could spark discussions about the future of reproductive rights and environmental policy, potentially influencing public opinion and political action.
Supportive Communities
The article may appeal to audiences concerned with environmental issues, social justice, and human rights, particularly those wary of government overreach.
Market Implications
The speculative nature of the film could influence markets related to technology and environmental sustainability, as concerns over climate change continue to shape consumer behavior and investment strategies.
Global Power Dynamics
The themes may reflect or anticipate shifts in global power dynamics, particularly regarding how nations respond to climate change and the rights of individuals within their borders.
Use of AI in Writing
It's possible that AI tools were employed in crafting the narrative or in generating insights about societal trends. The way the article frames its arguments could suggest a calculated approach to provoke thought and discussion, potentially enhanced by AI's analytical capabilities.
Potential for Manipulation
The narrative could be seen as manipulative due to its dramatized portrayal of a future dystopia, which may aim to instill fear rather than purely inform. This manipulation arises from the emotional weight of the themes presented. The analysis indicates that while the article is rooted in fiction, it effectively raises critical questions about the future, making it a relevant and compelling read.