‘Vortex’ (2021) Review: A Razor Blade-Filled Rose, Equal Horror And Beauty

Vortex (2021)

Directed By: Gaspar Noé

Starring: Dario Argento, Françoise Lebrun, Alex Lutz

Plot Summary: Presented in split screen, VORTEX tells the story of an aging couple in a Paris apartment. As the mother (Françoise Lebrun) faces advancing dementia, the father (Dario Argento) tries to care for her while dealing with his own declining health, and their son (Alex Lutz) does his best in spite of his own significant personal problems.

Gaspar Noé has made a career out of making audiences squirm, whether from his unflinching, disturbing films or his erotic explorations. His 2018 film Climax, for example, may be one of the most mentally draining films I’ve ever seen. His latest offering, Vortex, marks an interesting point in the maverick director’s filmography as it does not contain any overt violence or any extreme subject matter. That isn’t to say that Vortex is an easy watch. Despite the overall lack of blood and other various fluids, this may very well be regarded as Noé’s toughest watch.

The biggest challenge for most audiences will amount to two main reasons. First is the runtime; Vortex clocks in at just shy of two-and-a-half hours long. Thus, it allows Noé the freedom to really explore the subject in a way that feels freeing and unconfined. However, I can see how this would intimidate the casual movie lover. The second reason is the subject matter itself. As you no doubt may have guessed by the plot summary, this isn’t exactly a feel-good outing. Indeed, Noé presents an uncompromising look at aging and loving someone with dementia. It focuses its camera lens on what happens long after the fairytale happily ever after. In both regards, the runtime and the bleak plot serve to tell a complex snapshot in a very real thing that sadly happens to people.

As someone who used to work at a nursing home, I witnessed this firsthand and its heartbreaking effects on loved ones. Noé pulls zero punches in portraying the reality of the situation without going overboard. In fact, the shock-director seems to linger in the painfully mundane, a stark contrast to his previous films. It’s in these quieter moments that a razor blade-filled rose fully blooms, beauty and horror in equal harrowing measures. I always find body-horror to be the most compelling and chilling, and this squarely falls into that category. The movie is engaging without ever needing to fully embrace the absurd, nor the overly dramatic. It’s the latter move that impressed me, as it never takes that plunge into the soap opera realm.

The really interesting thing is that horror maestro Dario Argento stars in the leading role. As much as I love him as a director, he has a kind of natural ease in front of the camera, as well. However, as much as I love the fact that he is in this film, I cannot help but find it a tad bit distracting at times. Although the big draw is admittedly Argento, I believe it’s the female lead who truly steals the show. Françoise Lebrun is given the task of being the emotional centerpiece to the film, and she does not disappoint with her haunting performance as Elle. Lebrun, whose career spans over four-decades now, gives what should be considered a high point in her career. Admirably rounding out the main cast is Alex Lutz. Lutz, who is virtually unknown in America, shines in a smaller but incredibly impactful role as Elle’s son.

To be completely honest, most people outside of the arthouse and hardcore devotees of Noé will most likely not connect with this film. Its runtime is long, and, though on purpose, the movie tends to be on the slow side. However, I hope that adventurous film lovers will give this a chance, as it is a thoughtful and raw look at a subject that is vital. And, as a fan of Noé since discovering his 1998 film I Stand Alone, it is really great to see this master pushing outside his normal work. Who knows what’s next, a Pixar film?

Vortex is currently playing in select theaters nationwide courtesy of Utopia Distribution. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L-ZcCFePAs]

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