Bucking Fastard Review
Bucking Fastard review: Werner Herzog casts Kate and Rooney Mara as synchronized sisters based on unusual real-life twins.
This review, based on a screening at the Venice Film Festival, centers around Werner Herzog's film Bucking Fastard. The film does not have a release date yet and draws loosely from the story of Yorkshire twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, known for their synchronized speech and movements. Herzog's narrative weaves a unique drama about the protagonists, Jean and Joan Holbrooke, who are sisters with a remarkable ability to mimic each other's actions and words.
The film takes a mischievous and surreal turn as Jean and Joan, played by Kate and Rooney Mara, are accused of stalking and harassing their neighbor, Mr. Mulroney, portrayed by Orlando Bloom. While the stakes are low, with a possible restraining order rather than criminal charges, the sisters' absurd obsession adds an interesting layer to the story. The sisters' dialogue is a standout feature, with overlapping and echoing lines, complemented by knowing glances.
Intriguingly, the Holbrookes' limited understanding of the world is evident in their speech, mannerisms, and attire. The film intentionally obscures the time period, with an iPhone appearing in the background thirty minutes into the movie, indicating a modern setting. Herzog stays true to the real-life inspiration without creating a traditional biography, instead focusing on the imaginative portrayal of the sisters' isolation and self-loathing.
As the film progresses, it transitions from the trial to the sisters' attempts at independent living. Once they leave the societal constraints of Ireland, the tone shifts to a more subdued and introspective one. The lush Irish countryside provides a stark contrast to their previous experiences, allowing Jean and Joan to reflect on their lives and desires.
The film's climax takes place in their aunt Louise's (Marion O Dwyer) care, where the sisters befriend a neighbor, McFarlane (Brendan Conroy), and encounter a local legend surrounding a cave.
The film's bittersweet tone and Herzog's gentle tragedy leave a lasting impression. While it doesn't achieve a full catharsis, the movie offers a poetic glimpse into two women yearning for connection in a world that often feels indifferent to them.
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