Catherine Hardwicke's latest venture echoes back from a not so distant memory, the mega-hit "Twilight". Not just because of the casting two of its memorable villains - Cam Gigandet and Xavier Samuel, the latter one wasn't directed by her in the third film - but because it deals with a female divided between two men. On a "real" level this time without vampires and wolves this is also a story about obsession confused with love, adoration confused care. "Plush" carelessly enters into the world of Pop/Rock stars where sometimes average bands like the one <more> presented in the movie can make it big in business by composing mediocre songs. And it's in that world that everything takes place: life changes to lead singer Hayley Emily Browning when she decides to keep moving with her band with a new guitarist, Enzo Samuel after the former member and her brother Thomas Dekker die of an overdose, creating a huge block on her since they were great together as a band.It turns out that the new member proves to be a good thing at first. Slightly resembling the deceased brother in my view, the movie keeps hitting a possible incestuous relationship between bro and sis, left in the air , Enzo is another source of good inspiration for the girl who gets the band back on the run, finally releasing new material. But they're involvement it's much more than just sharing the stage and the microphone, they have an affair. If only one of the involved could keep it lightly...Hayley happens to be married with another man Gigandet , a good guy who takes care of the kids while she's on tour having great experiences with this mysterious man. But just like many of her fans, Enzo reveals to be a bit obsessed with Hayley and already makes plans to live with her and get rid off everyone against his plans.Don't get me wrong but what I've seen some traits of "Fatal Attraction" but slightly reversed, expanded to cause damage to another characters outside the trio and more daring in some aspects. It goes wrong with the clichés involving rock stars, fame, sex, drugs and rock n'roll with no brains, dark secrets, those are sickening to endure; then it jumps scenes that would be beneficial to the story/plot line awfully rushed and leaves unanswered questions which might be answered in the tie-in novel, released a few months before the film .Why I liked "Plush"? First of all, I want to be a contrarian since most of the opinions trashing the film are missing everything. Missing the point, missing the fun, overlooking the negative stuff as if qualities weren't existing. OK, in terms of suspense is quite lifeless and overdone but gotta admit there's something in it that compels you to watch it. And if it's not the 'what comes next' kind of effect, slightly predictable in almost every movie out there, at least it's because of one character and his twists. The majority of characters here Hayley included are really disposable, or lacking in something to make us care but the transition between guitarists and their persona at first similar, then reversely changed is what makes this going. Too bad the only good guy in the movie, Thomas Dekker, didn't have an appropriate timing in the movie but his replacement works nicely. Xavier Samuel is the man and Enzo is definitely the reason why this movie is something else more than just a gathering of clichés. He's not much of a blessing, just helpful when in need of a whether a musician/composer to help with her songs or a sexual partner but definitely a curse in disguise just waiting the perfect moment to shatter her settled family life. He's magnetic and knows how to seduce; but it was a bit odd to see his terrifying side. One more positive point: finally Cam is not playing a villain, was about time. It's a personal matter of his in choosing dark roles but I guess he trusted the director enough to accept the family man role. Simple, quite weakened but different."Plush" shouldn't aboard too many topics at the same picture cause in the end it hurt the intention of knowing what's more important: the marriage going downhill, the new relationship that could never exist or the forgotten issues with the band. The final image a hateful one I must say pounders that the thriller must prevail. Very enjoyable and undeserving of the bad-mouthing is getting. Guys simply didn't like this concept. 8/10 <less> |