The Venus Effect

The Venus Effect is a case where I don’t know where my own very subjective response to the movie ends and more “objective” critique begins. I can certainly see positives in the film. Primarily, this is a film with a very strong and intentional visual aesthetic. I can certainly see how this trendy, romantic story might appeal to people. But in this case, I guess I’m not people, because I personally didn’t enjoy what The Venus Effect presented me.

The film is a love story between a young woman named Liv and the older, trendy feminist Andrea. Andrea crashes into Liv’s content but dull existence wearing a labia costume. And Liv, struggling with her own relationships to family and her boyfriend finds Andrea’s whole deal to be charming. So, the two develop a friendship and eventually, a relationship. But Liv’s own personal choices have ramifications that go beyond her. And also, Andrea’s whole aesthetic feminist thing and the differences between their lifestyles begin to show the cracks in Liv and Andrea’s relationship.

Again, let me say that the visuals of The Venus Effect are pretty strong. This is a lovely movie to look at. It has a sense of romance, youthful freedom and the beauty of nature and outdoor spaces. Director Anna Emma Haudal clearly put a lot of work into designing her shots and scenes. I see that and I respect that.

But also, this aesthetic feels a bit dated? At one point, Liv and Andrea take some aesthetic photos together using a Polaroid camera. The photos are of Liv with flowers on her face and one of her giggling and wearing slices of bread like bracelets. The photos and film itself takes on a hazy, slightly vintage yellow filter that evokes “hipster” photography and instagram filters. The word “aesthetic” all but screams itself at you. And all I could think was, isn’t this a bit passé? The entire look and feel of The Venus Effect throws me back to 2012. The film is reminiscent of tumblr hipster aesthetics and early 2010s third wave feminism. It almost feels like a throwback. But because what it’s throwing back to is still comparatively recent, it doesn’t seem nostalgic. It just feels dated.

And then there’s the story. Or, the characters, really. The Venus Effect’s story is a fairly standard by the numbers romance. Even with the potentially dated aesthetics, this film is undoubtedly a beautiful film to look at. But when the characters open their mouths? Gosh, I just find them all obnoxious. Liv is mostly just boring. But she’s also got this whole deal about how plants have sentience. And that, combined with Andrea’s whole deal culminates in a relationship more obnoxious than either of the sum of its parts. As the film goes on, Liv herself begins to see that Andrea’s cool, artsy deal has its own flaws and shallowness to it. But this comes after an hour of these characters doing fuck all except taking some Polaroid photos of each other and talking about plant gender.

The problem is that The Venus Effect isn’t trying to be reality, this is a trendy, romantic fantasy. Okay. But it’s not a fantasy I enjoy. I don’t want to inhabit this world. I was already on the internet in 2012 so the visuals don’t blow my mind. And the characters? Even less so. They all seem like holier than though hipsters with no sense of humour. Which brings me to the other problem. Apparently The Venus Effect is a comedy? That’s what the official description said. But damn, I didn’t get it. It just seemed like a movie where for two-thirds, the lead character and film itself didn’t fully realize how obnoxious everyone was. And then in the last act, there’s some acknowledgement of this but it’s also when the film deals with its more dramatic beats.

I think it’s entirely possible my own relationship with real-life versions of the characters and aesthetics within The Venus Effect is colouring my review. The film clearly took great care with its visuals. Despite that, I’m not impressed. I know where to buy a Polaroid camera and how to engage in whimsy enough on my own to not find the film’s depiction of it impressive. And that same care didn’t feel like it translated to the story and characters which seemed to come second to the film’s look. Ultimately, I’m giving this film a passing grade. Its visuals are certainly pretty and I’m just not certain enough that my reaction to it has anything to do with the film itself. But for the record, I didn’t much care for The Venus Effect.

Overall rating: 5.2/10

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