It took 7 years to finance
Plot
The Maynards and their children live a near-perfect billionaire family life. Amon is an avid hunter, but he doesn’t shoot animals, as the family’s wealth allows them to live completely free from the consequences.
This was screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival
Ayn Rand: The Point Is Who’s Gonna Stop Me?. Filmmakers Daniel Hoesl and Juliane Niemann clearly create an interesting satirical take on the wealthy class, and while there are some good ideas, it feels underdeveloped and not as strong as the film thinks it will.
Hoesl and Niemann’s direction, while a bit messy, is clear about the style and atmosphere they are aiming for
The production designs, camerawork, and color presentation are gorgeous and truly beautiful, helping to capture the mood and essence of the characters. Many of the performances are solid, some of the children’s performances are a bit weak; it doesn’t feel invested, nor is it interesting to connect with them emotionally.
It feels like there are some good ideas that didn’t quite hit their potential
There are certain moments that are jarring, edgy, and quite bizarre, and I understand where the filmmakers are coming from and I understand their vision. But it doesn’t feel completely earned, and the style is too similar to something like Ruben Ostlund or Michael Haneke.
But it could have been stronger
Overall, it’s not bad, as there are moments that I appreciate.
