Exhibition

This is a bizarre one, guys. It reminds me of another abstract work that tested my patience this year - Visitors. The movie is essentially an assortment of vignettes-of-sorts built around a central plot of an artist couple deciding to move from their home of many years. What ensues is social minimalism to its core, though delivered in a package of sparse abstraction whose meaning may lack absolute clarity, if any whatsoever. One thing I can't praise enough is how unflattering and natural this movie presents it's characters, particularly the lead actress. There are times when this movie is so intimate and personal, it's unsettling, almost in a carnal sense. Each frame is composed delicately. Many long takes are filmed with the camera aimed directly at a window, giving a reflected view of the inside of the home the characters inhabit, as well as the streets and buildings outside. Often, these two settings are captured in a shimmering blend. Perhaps this is metaphorical imagery set on making the point of how intimate the storyline is; all barriers that may seclude the characters' lives are broken down and nothing is private. Everything is on 'EXHIBITION' here. But that's just my interpretation. If the approach Joanna used here was a bit more direct without sacrificing the subtlety she so expertly captures, this could've been more impactful, but as it is the film is so mystic and vague at points that it may lose most viewers. In fact, I can't lie here, I was almost bored to tears at some sections it was enamored with it's own artsy-fartsy subversiveness. However, I really do appreciate and respect Joanna's distinct approach to filmmaking and think that this picture shows great promise for her future as a filmmaker. I won't say that I necessarily 'like' or 'enjoyed' Exhibition, but I was certainly struck by it in a way that left a definite mark that won't soon fade from memory.