While it's not true of all his works, I came to know Yorgos Lanthimos for the distinctive traits he instilled in the first few of his films I watched. In 'Dogtooth,' 'The lobster,' and 'The killing of a sacred deer,' the storytelling and character dynamics are typified by direct and plainspoken dialogue, and abnormal social dynamics, that portend very open personal boundaries if not a total lack thereof; and a pointedly dry, flat tone that accentuates and amplifies what comes off to any average viewer as deeply uncomfortable, gawky situations. It's safe to say that 'Alps,' following a group of people who impersonate the recently deceased for bereaved clients, fits well within that same broad model, especially as characters are spotlighted in ways that call their mental states and relationships into question. I think this 2011 feature comes off as perhaps slightly less refined, but I wonder if that doesn't actually work in its favor. All facets of the screenplay - written between the filmmaker and regular collaborator Efthymis Filippou - dialogue, characters, scene writing, narrative - speak to an unusual intimacy in which barriers between people are very consciously removed, reflected not just in how characters speak and act but how they carry themselves when they are ostensibly by themselves, and acting for themselves. Alongside Lanthimos' direction and Christos Voudouris' cinematography, wherein even the basic framing is often very up close and personal, most every component part suggests an intense closeness or magnification through which imperfections become more readily perceptible. Thus if in any measure it's true that the picture lacks some degree of polish, it fits with the overall vibe.
The scenario and story that Lanthimos and Filippou conjured is roundly fascinating; even as some scenes evoke a sense of vicarious embarrassment for how awkward they look or feel, we're kept locked in for the long haul. Particularly with the nurse character who is more or less centered as a protagonist the movie becomes a sort of free-form exploration of who more greatly needs the artificial relationships that the Alps' activities facilitate, and to some further extent of what becomes of relationships when any and/or all such delineated boundaries are set aside. The cast is a treasure in bringing the tableau to bear, though those familiar with the director's other works will be grateful to recognize recurring star Angeliki Papoulia, who was such a tremendous presence in 'Dogtooth' especially. This is another oddity, for sure, but definitely kith and kin with Lanthimos' other titles, and I could scarcely be more happy with just how engrossing it is. Everything here looks and sounds terrific, including costume design, hair, makeup, and even lighting, and a scattering of stunts and effects, and the result should be very pleasing for anyone who is a fan of the weird, wide possibilities that cinema has to offer. I really don't think there's any going wrong with Lanthimos' oeuvre, and for as curious and excellent as it is, I'm glad to give 'Alps' my very high recommendation right alongside its brethren.
The scenario and story that Lanthimos and Filippou conjured is roundly fascinating; even as some scenes evoke a sense of vicarious embarrassment for how awkward they look or feel, we're kept locked in for the long haul. Particularly with the nurse character who is more or less centered as a protagonist the movie becomes a sort of free-form exploration of who more greatly needs the artificial relationships that the Alps' activities facilitate, and to some further extent of what becomes of relationships when any and/or all such delineated boundaries are set aside. The cast is a treasure in bringing the tableau to bear, though those familiar with the director's other works will be grateful to recognize recurring star Angeliki Papoulia, who was such a tremendous presence in 'Dogtooth' especially. This is another oddity, for sure, but definitely kith and kin with Lanthimos' other titles, and I could scarcely be more happy with just how engrossing it is. Everything here looks and sounds terrific, including costume design, hair, makeup, and even lighting, and a scattering of stunts and effects, and the result should be very pleasing for anyone who is a fan of the weird, wide possibilities that cinema has to offer. I really don't think there's any going wrong with Lanthimos' oeuvre, and for as curious and excellent as it is, I'm glad to give 'Alps' my very high recommendation right alongside its brethren.