"Director's Trademarks" Yorgos Lanthimos (TV Episode 2019) Poster

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2/10
Persistent struggle to construct a coherent storyline
gillestonnel2 January 2024
Yorgos Lanthimos, as a director, often grapples with the intricate challenge of constructing a narrative that seamlessly weaves together the various elements of his films, a struggle notably prominent in « The Lobster. » His inclination to explore plotlines devoid of apparent logic can create an atmosphere that, at times, renders cinema itself disconcerting. This tendency persists in « Poor Things, » underscoring an ongoing challenge in crafting storylines that exhibit both cohesiveness and coherence.

Despite Lanthimos's undeniable creative prowess, a recurring theme emerges wherein the construction of a clear and engaging narrative eludes him. Rather than employing his creative talents to fashion a lucid storyline, he seems to prefer embarking on divergent trajectories. This choice results in a cinematic experience where apparent chaos supersedes a well-defined artistic intention. The films take on the semblance of a collage, akin to a collection of entertaining yet ephemeral advertisement clips - momentarily captivating, but swiftly losing appeal as the underlying meaning becomes elusive.

This inclination to meander through various narrative directions, rather than grounding his films in a compelling story, can leave the audience bewildered and detract from the overall viewing pleasure. Additionally, the intentional dismantling of narrative structure positions him as a cinematic iconoclast, an anti-cinema creator. Cinematic tools such as cinematography, costumes, atmosphere, and even humor, elements he sporadically masters, seem to be employed not to enhance the storytelling but rather to serve his purpose of deconstructing the impact of cinema, hindering the creation of a coherent world.

This persistent struggle to construct a coherent storyline fosters further skepticism about his ability to deliver a compelling narrative. It gives the impression that his delightful hodgepodge is an artful attempt to divert attention from his difficulty in telling a captivating story.

By articulating these concerns, there is a hopeful anticipation that Yorgos Lanthimos will find a more harmonious equilibrium between his aspiration for artistic innovation and the necessity of a captivating narrative. This, in turn, would enable audiences to better comprehend and appreciate the unique complexities embedded in his works.
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