Susan Granger’s review of “Saltburn” (M.G.M./Amazon)
After “Promising Young Woman” (2022), Emerald Fennell’s auspicious writing/directing debut, her audacious second feature “Saltburn” is a disappointment.
Set in 2006, it’s a twisted, kinky, social-climbing satire revolving around Oliver Quick (Irish actor Barry Keoghan), a guileless ‘scholarship’ Oxford undergrad who cleverly befriends handsome Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), an aristocratic yet surprisingly compassionate classmate.
According to Oliver’s tragic backstory, his parents suffered addiction/mental health problems before his father’s recent death – which is why it’s so important to him to wangle an invitation to spend the summer at Catton’s family’s Baroque country estate called Saltburn.
From the moment this scheming interloper enters the eccentric family’s fabulously elite realm, his devious emotional attachment ignites. That’s the provocative premise.
As Oliver passes through the wrought-iron gates and becomes acquainted with various Catton relatives, he conspires and betrays each of them with ruthless precision.
His victims include Felix’s self-consciously troubled sister, Venetia (Alison Oliver); his droll father, Sir James (Richard E. Grant); and his shallow, glamorous, scene-stealing mother, Elsbeth (Rosamond Pike).
There’s Elsbeth’s fashionable friend, Pamela (Carey Mulligan) and, of course, the loyal, observant, meticulous butler, Duncan (Paul Rhys).
Somewhat reminiscent of “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” this psychosexual drama superficially blends class and privilege with Gothic horror – desire with restraint – and – above all – revenge.
Spoiler Alert!
It’s particularly disgusting when libidinous Oliver is glimpsed drinking the draining bathwater into which Felix masturbated and then licking the bottom of the bathtub.
Following that, undoubtedly the most bizarre sequence is the finale, depicting Oliver dancing triumphantly – displaying full-frontal nudity – through the palatial mansion’s halls.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Saltburn” is an exasperating, toxic 3, streaming on Amazon Prime.
