Velvet Buzzsaw
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Renee Russo, Zawe Ashton, Toni Collette
Directed by: Dan Gilroy
Rated: R
“Critique can be so limiting and emotionally draining,” states lead character Morf Vandewalt as he considers his job as an art critic. There is truth to those words. Critique can be exceptionally emotionally draining when there’s a new Jake Gyllenhaal movie released that isn’t good.
What is Velvet Buzzsaw? The core of Netflix’s latest original film is about mysterious art found in a dead man’s apartment. The man’s name is Ventril Dease, and his work becomes an overnight sensation in the art world, but there is something deeply sinister that lurks beneath. To describe Velvet Buzzsaw is difficult because it tries to do so many things at one time. It’s part satire, part horror film, and part comedy. The first act of the film seems to be a decently exciting satire on the world of art collection and criticism. Yet, as soon as Ventril Dease’s art is introduced, it takes a turn into B-movie horror. The genres of art satire and horror clash with each other throughout the second and third acts intensely.
It’s hard to believe that Dan Gilroy, the director of Nightcrawler, made this movie. It feels like he wanted to make something like Nocturnal Animals, a fantastic film that satirizes the art industry but has an intriguing narrative throughout. Instead, Velvet Buzzsaw hits its audience over the head with blatant, loud messages like, “Art criticism is bad. Art buyers are greedy. Everyone who participates should die.” You could find more nuanced satire in Zoolander.
Jake Gyllenhaal saves this movie. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a fan of his work, but I don’t think this would be watchable without him. He is a chameleon actor, and this movie proves that fact. To think this is the same actor who was just in Wildlife is shocking. He is flamboyant and pretentious as Morf Vandewalt. He acts as if every art installation could have the potential to make or break his life. He brings so much energy and humor to the film.
Two other standouts in Velvet Buzzsaw are Renee Russo as Rhodora and Natalia Dyer as Coco. The two play opposite characters with Russo portraying a workaholic gallery owner who always has to have the latest and most fabulous pieces. Natalia Dyer is an innocent assistant caught up in the fast-paced gallery world, unsure of her place. She finds herself moving from one boss to another frequently.
Unfortunately, there is so much wasted talented here. Impressive actors like Toni Collette, John Malkovich, and Daveed Diggs have roles that lead to nothing. At times, I wondered what their storylines were even doing in the film. Toni Collette’s side plot leads to a predictable yet disappointing end. If all of the characters in Velvet Buzzsaw got together to try to figure out the backstory of Ventril Dease, this might be a much more exciting film.
Velvet Buzzsaw attempts to satirize the art world through horror and humor. Instead, it turns into a tacky and disjointed mess that’s devoid of cohesion.
My Rating: 4/10
*All images belong to Netflix