Here and elsewhere there are lots of AntiChrist theories being explored as to the meaning of what happens in this film - which is quite interesting, and more so than the film itself, in my view. As such, having Willem Dafoe (star of AC) do the voiceover is either a total coincidence or a very nice touch...
However, at face value, I struggled a bit with this and was left quite deflated by the ending - having been pretty irritated anyway with the over-the-top nature of Portman's characterisation of the older Celeste. Obviously, Portman was overacting for effect but for me the quick transition from "so out of it she can't walk" to leading a choreographed show was just too unconvincing - like her supposedly auto-erotic performance in Black Swan, which nevertheless I enjoyed more than this...
Jude Law is good, as are some of the other supporting characters, although I'm not sure about the decision to have the same actor play young Celeste and the older Celeste's daughter.
As a study on the modern nature of fame, it makes some good points about the commodification of life and draws interesting parallels with some real-world exemplars, but it could have done with a better ending at least, I think.
However, at face value, I struggled a bit with this and was left quite deflated by the ending - having been pretty irritated anyway with the over-the-top nature of Portman's characterisation of the older Celeste. Obviously, Portman was overacting for effect but for me the quick transition from "so out of it she can't walk" to leading a choreographed show was just too unconvincing - like her supposedly auto-erotic performance in Black Swan, which nevertheless I enjoyed more than this...
Jude Law is good, as are some of the other supporting characters, although I'm not sure about the decision to have the same actor play young Celeste and the older Celeste's daughter.
As a study on the modern nature of fame, it makes some good points about the commodification of life and draws interesting parallels with some real-world exemplars, but it could have done with a better ending at least, I think.