#33 - The Lighthouse (2019)
(dir. Robert Eggers)
Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson play two lighthouse keepers stationed on a remote island together. They are both a little odd, and are secretive about their pasts. When it comes time for them to be relieved, a massive storm strikes the island and doesn't let up for weeks. Stranded, they begin to wear on each other and start to slip into madness. This is the second feature from director Robert Eggers, whose debut The Witch set a very high bar. I'm pleased to say that this lives up to my expectations - it's a weird, beautiful, and funny film, and I've never seen anything else quite like it. It definitely has elements of horror, as well as fantasy and drama, but more than anything it's a dark comedy, and a surprisingly funny one.
The black and white cinematography is gorgeous, and the unusually narrow aspect ratio adds a sense of claustrophobia to the film and also allows for some interesting framing. Both leads (who are essentially the only actors in the film) give stellar performances, and they take turns one-upping the other with ridiculous monologues and wild drunken antics. Dafoe is ultimately the highlight, but Pattinson really holds his own. Just as he did in The Witch, Eggers writes the dialogue using period-accurate language. I found it a little difficult to understand at first, but once I got used to the way they spoke it wasn't too bad.
I don't want to say much else because it's the sort of film that needs to be experienced. Easily one of the best (and weirdest) films of 2019, in any genre.
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