Saw this at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
"When It Melts" is a story about many years after a sweltering summer that spun out of control, Eva returns to the village she grew up in with an ice block in the back of her car. In the dead of winter, she confronts herself with her past and faces up to her tormentors. This is director Veerle Baetens first feature film and she definitely provides some great directing in this film. Unfortunately, the film struggles with a flawed narrative and unimpactful concept.
Throughout, the film has beautiful camerawork, colors, and production setting. The film explores about childhood trauma amongst tough subjects like sexual assault on young children. It's clear what approach Baetens is going for but the problems rely on a narrative that feels bare-bone and bland. The narrative switching from past to present format feels really uneven as it causes the film to have pacing issues.
The performances from the cast are pretty good, even the child actors were performed well. However the characters aren't as investing to care and a few of the characters were honestly kind of unbearable at times. There were some scenes that were meant to be creepy and uncomfortable but I don't know why but I thought the scenes felt a little exploitative. I understand why those scenes were there but I don't know how to feel about it.
Despite a very flaw script and dull characters, the film still holds on strong directing and interesting camerawork throughout.
Rating: C+
"When It Melts" is a story about many years after a sweltering summer that spun out of control, Eva returns to the village she grew up in with an ice block in the back of her car. In the dead of winter, she confronts herself with her past and faces up to her tormentors. This is director Veerle Baetens first feature film and she definitely provides some great directing in this film. Unfortunately, the film struggles with a flawed narrative and unimpactful concept.
Throughout, the film has beautiful camerawork, colors, and production setting. The film explores about childhood trauma amongst tough subjects like sexual assault on young children. It's clear what approach Baetens is going for but the problems rely on a narrative that feels bare-bone and bland. The narrative switching from past to present format feels really uneven as it causes the film to have pacing issues.
The performances from the cast are pretty good, even the child actors were performed well. However the characters aren't as investing to care and a few of the characters were honestly kind of unbearable at times. There were some scenes that were meant to be creepy and uncomfortable but I don't know why but I thought the scenes felt a little exploitative. I understand why those scenes were there but I don't know how to feel about it.
Despite a very flaw script and dull characters, the film still holds on strong directing and interesting camerawork throughout.
Rating: C+