The Follies Review: The Spanish-language anthology film follows six women over the course of one fateful day, wherein they are all pushed to their limits in one way or another and how they push past these constraints to find freedom.
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The Follies Movie Cast
Cassandra Ciangherotti, Alfredo Castro, Ángeles Cruz, Natalia Solián, Naian González Norvind, Raúl Briones, Ilse Salas, Fernanda Castillo, Vicky Araico, Adriana Barraza
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The Follies Netflix Director & Writer
Rodrigo García
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Original Title
Las Locuras
The film has a runtime of 121 minutes.
The Follies Review
In Rodrigo Garcia’s new Netflix film, we are taken on a deeply emotional journey through the lives of six women over the course of one day and how their stories subtly intersect, but, more importantly, how they resonate thematically. These women are going through their own turmoils, and the film aims to showcase how a severe crisis can transform someone completely in unexpected ways.
This drama is mostly character-driven, and thus each of these women is written with a lot of vulnerability and honesty. The powerful ensemble cast is its biggest advantage, as each actor brings an emotional weight and authenticity to the story and turns this film into something deeply lived in and vulnerable. This is a slow-paced film that takes its time to understand each character intimately and gets under your skin deeply, leaving you engaged to the story thoroughly.
The story is told in small, intimate moments that leave an impact on viewers. The single-day format packs a lot of punch in a short amount of time and heightens the emotional stakes greatly. It’s like an extreme pressure that no one can escape and that grips you relentlessly and mercilessly. The tension, however, comes because of how relatable the story and characters are. Their vulnerability is what draws us to them and leaves you surprisingly disturbed.
There are several interesting and impactful situations told in the story. We explore people’s breaking points with nuance and honesty, and the mental health themes are well done. It doesn’t shy away from anything related to emotions and brings them to the table in a way that is severely impactful but also doesn’t feel like it’s taking advantage of something vulnerable.
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The anthology format, too, feels unique in the setting, and the interconnected stories make for a good watch. It’s handled deftly, which adds to the experience, and it makes sense in the flow of the story. It works as a mirror for the complex emotional architecture of the characters and heightens the experience of watching these complex emotions being brought forth.
However, I will mention here that The Follies doesn’t feel like it will be for everyone. Its slow pacing might annoy some viewers, and it isn’t particularly entertaining if you are looking for some light fun. It’s very emotionally dense, and the heightened emotions sometimes get overwhelming and heavy. However, if you like complex stories that make you think, then this one will leave an impression.
Final Thoughts
The Follies is a moving, contemplative drama whose characters are its focal points. Dealing with heavy emotions, this one might not be for everyone, but if you need something different to watch this weekend, it’s a good idea to give this one a chance.
What are your thoughts on The Follies? Let us know in the comments below!
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