To think Saltburn was a bit shit

[HummusDip]

I don’t watch films that often, but watched on Amazon Prime largely due to Carey Mulligan/Rosamund Pike…

It’s visually good, but felt rushed/unbelievable towards the end…

It’s just not convincing - particularly ‘Oliver’…

It depends what you want from a film. I thought it was visually stunning. And that for me made it worthwhile. The plot was a bit predictable and implausible but I did think it was fun. The cast was great. I generally like gothic tales like that tho.
It was very funny at points too.
I don't think it was groundbreaking But I certainly enjoyed watching it.
I didn't find it shocking because I watch loads of shocking things..
I think the thing about Saltburn is that it kinda crosses a couple of genres so it gathered some audience who wouldn't usually watch something like that who found it really shocking and then it also gathered some audience who heard it was shocking and thought it was maybe a horror and went in with expectations that weren't met and found it boring... as actually its sort of a social satire black comedy based mostly on dialogue.. not fast paced jump scares etc
I think it just reached a much bigger audience than a film like that might have done in the past due to being put out for free on amazon whilst in cinemas... so it has got mixed responses as it had such a wide audience when it's quite a niche film

I think you nailed it there!

Well for one thing because they won't see it (I mean good god, what kind of person would say something like that TO another person? Oh wait...)

It was part of my reporting my experience of the film. I've watched Keoghan in several things, notably Deer and Banshees, and I rate him as an actor but he gives me the creeps (at least in part because he is often cast in very creepy roles, and the fact he has this effect on some people will have played a part in that casting - chicken and egg innit). I used to have the same thing with Philip Seymour Hoffman - amazing actor, had brilliant roles but sent a queasy shiver down my spine. Their looks are/were part of the packacge they offer as actors - if they were normal looking they wouldn't be so famous. I overdid it to be sure but it was a relevant comment as part of a broader response.

He could of course be a secret Mumsnetter. Or someone close to him could be and be hurt by nasty comments about his appearance. And there's always the risk that the Daily Fail might pick up this thread and print the comment. All probably a bit unlikely but best to avoid criticising someone's appearance - online and in real life.

And my partner is a beaut. Seriously, I'm punching, and I was before I got fat. But I'd be willing to bet that even he wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea.

I hate to be playground about this but you started it. If you were looking for someone meek to whip, I'm afraid you picked wrong. Apols to the OP however as it is a bit ridiculous from about page 7 onwards!

I had no expectations as I hadn't heard any of the hype at the point I stumbled across it. The Oxford bit was engaging but from Saltburn onwards it was obvious how it was going to pan out. I wasn't invested in any of the characters and I can't say I was repulsed or shocked by any of the scenes. I kept waiting for something to surprise me but it didn't. By the end, I just thought 'meh'. I wouldn't say it was shit exactly, just not my kind of film.

I don't think I have any more words to tell you that I don't care how I look.

This.

Felt like the shocking scenes were there to just be shocking and were we supposed to believe he was in love/obsessed but still have planned the whole thing from the beginning?

Thought it was very average and like a PP thought last 10 minutes incredibly stupid and unbelievable, as if the police wouldn't realise that people keep dropping dead around him. Also, Keoghans accent was awful and his Irish accent could be clearly heard through the weird Liverpool? one.

Ridiculous spat. What I do find interesting is that if someone had said that an exceptionally talented actress had a face that made them want to be sick (or whatever) there would have been an immediate massive pile on. Such double standards. Actors don’t have to be conventionally or universally pretty. Most of the best ones aren’t. There’s no reason why anyone should pass negative comment on their looks at all. It’s 2024, I’d hoped we’d moved past that. Anyway it’s made me want to watch his other films. I haven’t seen any of them apart from Dunkirk.

Timothee chalamet was 1st choice.

That would have been a very different and more coherent film, imo.

Excellent post.

I loved it but also think Timothee Chalamet would have been even better. He would have the elements of youth and natural charm that would make it more believable.

I loved how it played with all sorts of English literary tropes. Like a postmodern Brideshead, with luscious visuals.

I knew nothing about it before I watched it, so I had no expectations. Yes it definitely was a black satire, not horror.

I think it attempted satire, but was too heavy handed to achieve it. It also wasn't clear who it was attacking, and satire is always an attack. So there was a bit of taking the mickey around upper class emotional constipation and the thrill of mixing with the lower classes, while eventually getting bored. But if that was the point, a satire would have gone further, used hyperbole to show these traits in action. Perhaps what was being attacked was the vicious ambition of the lower classes, as Oliver's arc was grotesque and hyperbolic - hallmarks of satire.

@DewHopper its great that you enjoyed it. It is also fine for other people to have a different opinion. It’s worth noting that many whole assed (to use your expression) film critics also didn’t rate the film. No need to take it personally. Many films are divisive. The beauty of art is that different people respond to it differently. It’s also worth noting that none of us have any idea what the other people commenting here do professionally (be it whole or half assed).

Timothee Chalamet doesn't have the charisma or quirk for the character imho, hes good but not brilliant. B. Keoghan has edginess and charisma in buckets. I'd imagine he brought so much to his character with suggestions and ideas.

Can't see the comparison with P. Seymour Hoffman either. He was a brilliant actor and I loved Boogie Nights, an utter loss and talent.

Absolutely agree with this. Barry does have that edge about him with a touch of menace. Timothy is a great actor but just doesn’t have that charisma to pull off that particular role.

For me he had too much menace and edge to make it believable that they were taken in by him as an innocent. Just couldn’t get my head round them acting as if he was just Felix’s little
friend when he was so obviously a disturbing, malevolent man in his 30s throughout. I think it would have worked better with more contrast between him as deceiver and the “real” him and I think TC might have pulled that off better- he’d have been more convincing as the young awkward-but-charming fish out of water. (Realise TC is nearly as old as BK but I think he can play younger.)

Also on age, it was nice to see an actor cast as a mum who was actually vaguely credible age wise (Jacob Elordi is 26 and Rosalind Pike 44). Not so long ago the mum would have been played by someone lates 20s 😂 Suspect having a female writer, director and producer might also help with this.

*Rosamund

Totally agree with the Rosamond point. She was perfectly cast as the mother. Played it very well too.