The theft of a little black dress from Kate’s (Linda Cropper) clothesline leads to an escalating psychological and physical war between Kate and her family, and Rachel (Anna Lisa Philips) and her gang of young criminals.
There is a measured creepiness to almost every scene in Envy that is powerful in its palpable sense of the unease shared by all the characters. Even Kate’s beautiful house feels cold, open and dangerous. The contrast between this atmosphere and the cause of it – a dress stolen from a clothesline, then stolen back again – is strong.
Although the film’s atmosphere is forceful, it is never suspenseful. It attempts to ask questions, but we are not sure of what they are and therefore can never form our own possible answers. Supposedly the film explores two strong women and the clash of their worlds; an appealing concept, but apart from the two leads’ performances being forced, their eventual showdown is uninteresting as they don’t connect; either as actors or characters and we aren’t given any insights. Therefore, although the film tries valiantly to explore new and unusual territories, it fails on most levels.
All the key personnel on this project are first time feature filmmakers; which shows. The only exception is DOP Graeme Wood (The Dish) who does a beautiful job.
Filmink 2/5
