This film was viewed at the Sydney Film Festival 2019. As it was not the only film I saw there, this review may be slightly shorter than usual.
The Souvenir is the latest film from director Joanna Hogg. It follows a privileged film student (Honor Swinton Byrne) in the 1980s who attempts to make a film about the lower classes in Britain. Meanwhile, she's falling in love with a charismatic older man (Tom Burke) who is hiding something from her.
I am not exaggerating when I say that I am struggling to find any negatives with this film. Every single element is top notch. All of the performances are fantastic, Swinton Byrne (who improvised most of her lines) in particular, who gives the film a likeable natural energy. Burke is also impressive and provides an intriguing hook with his guarded delivery paired with his chemistry with Swinton Byrne. He's also pretty funny in his role. Tilda Swinton (acting alongside her daughter) isn't in the film as much as the trailer might have you believe but she plays against type and makes an instant impression in every scene she's present for.
The cinematography is also great, as is the sound design. The square aspect ratio lends the visuals a pleasing symmetry and Hogg's use of dead space and composition really accentuate the emotions of each of the characters. The camera is mostly stationary so that when it does move it's for a purpose. Many of the takes are impressively long, giving the audience a chance to really emphasise with the characters and feel every silence and non sequitur. This is not a fast film, but it's never boring. The runtime is well-earned and it doesn't overstay it's welcome.
The script is excellent, which is good because the film is 99% conversations. Many of the exchanges of dialogue reward active analysis and pay off later. All of the dialogue is well-written and natural sounding, and the plot is engaging, the characters well-sketched. Even the characters with the smallest roles are distinctive, such as Richard Ayoade's Patrick and Tosin Cole's Phil. The world of the film is also well-developed. On a surface level, the film might appear pretentious with it's beautiful locations and upper-class characters, but Hogg is well aware of this and blends it into the motivations of Swinton Byrne's character.
I'm interested to see where Hogg goes with the upcoming The Souvenir: Part II, which is set to costar Robert Pattinson (who, in the space of a few days, has gone from being 'that guy from Twilight' to 'the new Batman' in the eyes of the casual moviegoer). There are certainly plot points that could be picked up and developed, but the film does not really leave the door open in the way that past Part Is such as The Godfather or Back to the Future have done. Hopefully it is actually the second part of two rather than just a sequel and Hogg has thought the story out from the start of this film through to Part II's ending. I'll certainly be there whenever it gets a release over the next few years.
The Souvenir is a menagerie of talent led by an auteur obviously in her prime, and I highly recommend it, whether you see it at a festival or wait for it's inevitable awards season release.
Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
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