A Haunting Tale of Love and Survival
Disclaimer
The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino and is based on the recluse romance novel “Bones and All” by Camille De Angelis. It features actors Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell accompanied by Andrè Holland, Kobey Sevigny, Mark Rylance, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jessica Harper. The movie follows two teenage cannibals who embark on a cross-country trip through the United States during the late 1980s. In the movie, Mark Rylance depicts sequences of love and belonging between a mother and father and vigorously explores themes of identity. It came out on November 10th, 2022.
Maren Yearly is a teenager with an appetite for human flesh, she is a compulsive cannibal. With her drifter Lee who shares her phycological urges, they traverse through the country’s deep backroads in search of belonging and understanding. As their bond grows, so does the number of people who want to hunt them down. Lee, together with Maren, starts recalling viciously moralising parts of his past which entails stalking those who want to live a Tinder swindler-esque life.
Maren Yearly is played by Taylor Russel, a woman on a search for her mother to understand her cannibalistic cravings. While play lovingly disengaged drifter, Timothée Chalamet plays Lee, a helpful enabler who guides Maren through finding self betterment.
Mark Rylance as Sully: A Maren-obsessed, elderly and offbeat cannibal.
André Holland as Frank Yearly: The father of Maren who leaves her after finding it challenging to cope with Maren’s issues.
Chloë Sevigny as Janelle Kerns: Maren’s mother who had to abandon her because of the challenge of cannibalism.
Michael Stuhlbarg as Jake: A cannibal who, along with his partner, meet Maren and Lee on their travels.
Jessica Harper as Barbara Kerns: Maren’s grandmother who gives knowledge of the family.
Themes and Symbolism
- Isolated and Alone
Maren and Lee’s nature as cannibals sets them apart from society which makes them try to bond with each other. Their quest epitomizes the deepest longing that exists in all of us for some understanding.
- Love and Fights to the Death
The balances between love and fights for survival as one of the main themes in the movie depicts the story of the main character and how they struggle with their humanity and animalistic instincts.
- Life’s Challenges and Acceptance
Maren’s quest to her mother is symbolic of her coming to terms with her identity and the struggle of self-acceptance.
Cinematographic Technique and Style
Luca Guadagnino, the director, synthesizes horror with romance, resulting in a storyline that is both heart warming and deeply disturbing. The cinematography depicts the American Midwest, contrasting the protagonist’s grim life with the beauty of nature. As in all diagesis shifted from Maren’s to Lee’s point of view, pacing was developed to fit character…
Accompaniment and Soundtracks
The score which Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed is evocative and deeply disturbing, contributing to the sad and creepy undertones of the film. The music itself brings out the sentiments embedded in the story, thereby deepening the audience’s relation to the character‘s feelings.
Critical Reception
On September 2, 2022 Bones and All had is world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, receiving a ten minute standing ovation at the end of the screening. The film has been well received by critics for its unusual mixture of genres, the two lead actors, and Guadagnino’s direction. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian made the comparison that it is a, “extravagant and outrageous movie: scary, nasty and startling in its warped romantic idealism.” In the words of Stephanie Zacharek of Time, “Bones and All is fastidiously romantic. It’s so carefully made, and so lovely to look at, even at its grisliest.” Some other critics, however, such as Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle, had a more difficult time with the film due to its graphic content.
Accolades
Luca Guadagnino won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival and Taylor Russell won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress. It received nominations at many other award ceremonies as well such as the Gotham Independent Film Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards.
Conclusion
Bones and All is as disturbing and riveting as it is grotesque and haunting as it manages to challenge its audience’s feelings of compassion towards humanity. The film stands out from its contemporaries with its moving performances, atmospheric direction, and poignant themes.