Furiosa: An Art Film that Paints in Guzzolene
Plus: What to [watch] this weekend?
What started as a well made B movie (Mad Max in 1979), has iterated and elevated to become true visual art.
Director George Miller has a mastery of cinematic language. In the latest Mad Max installments, Miller marries digital filmmaking with thrilling practical stunts and effects. And while it’s deadly serious in its execution, it’s built on a goofy premise with leather-clad villains and truly insane world design.
45 years later we’re getting the 5th installment in this unlikely franchise. And Furiosa does not disappoint.
Does this Movie Rip? Fuck Yes it Does!
Furiosa is an exercise in character, deep world building, and balletic action cinema. It explores religion, myth-making, and loss.
It’s a silent film in the lineage of Buster Keaton. Like the train chase in The General, Miller delivers emotion through action. The audience connects through the intensity of the situation, not the words being said.
True to its subtitle, Furiosa is a saga. So much so that Fury Road feels like a sequel to this movie rather than Furiosa feeling like a prequel.
Taking place over a decade you learn the political and economic landscape of “the wasteland.” All the world-building backstory behind the characters in Fury Road was in George Miller’s head all along. Now it’s on our screen.
The Furiosa character is a force. Like Charlize Theron’s portrayal, Anya Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa is stoic with a seething anger. We briefly get to see her hopeful side that leads to her decision to free the wives in Fury Road.
Chris Hemsworth is going for it as a cult warlord who uses brutality and Shakespearean speeches to keep his flock in line. He’s as much of a lead character as Furiosa and I enjoyed the hell out of his performance.
The art and character design is as unique as you’d expect. My fav is Hemsworth character’s magnificent cape that goes from white, to red, to black rainbow. The film also includes some of the coolest car designs in the franchise.
The Fury & Elegance of Anya Taylor-Joy
There is a moment when Furiosa “the girl” becomes Furiosa “road warrior” that sold me on Anya Taylor-Joy as an action star. Captured in flame and fury, Taylor-Joy sells the character with her eyes. She doesn’t have much of a choice because her face is often obscured by headwear and grease. But her eyes convey every moment of vitriol, determination, and at times hope.
Three notes:
1) Anya Taylor-Joy fights for her characters.
This film, like its predecessor, was hard as hell to shoot. She cares deeply about Furiosa and helped inform the character. Link to the New York Times profile.
2) She has 30 lines.
See above, her eyes do the talking.
3) Her looks for the press tour are stunning.
A massive contrast to the dirty and boyish makeover in the film. I ran across this Twitter thread that curates her fashion from the press tour. Taylor-Joy adopts leathers and avant-garde almost cobbled together fashion reminiscent of the Mad Max Universe. Her tall figure, long neck, and crossed legs pose is iconic.
The Genius of George Miller
We’re in an era of elder iconic directors are taking some of the biggest swings of their career. Marty, Ridley Scott, and Francis Ford Coppola are out here going for it. But not as hard as George Miller is going for it.
Somewhere on the other side of the globe, George Miller is strapped to a car shooting motorbikes jumping over cars. Just impressive as hell.
Miller has captured some the coolest car chases ever put to film. When he was finally able to make the fourth movie (Fury Road) years later, he elevated it to art. His time in the director chair over the years honed his eye for movement and crescendo.
Miller has an iconic look and aura of classic film director. He’s a gunslinger whose movies feel like they’re shot from the hip, but they’re a meticulous puzzle of coordination, vision, and precision.
He’s adopted digital and married a unique use of CGI & digital coloring with the tactile on-the-sand filmmaking of cars, flame, and speed.
What to [watch] this weekend
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
I mean, do I really have to elaborate. Go see this in theaters.
Directed by: George Miller
Logline: “The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max.”
Where to Watch: Theaters
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Take off early from work today. You deserve it.
See you next week.