«Us is us

Cinema Wednesdays - Loris S. Musumeci

«Well then! - thus saith the Lord - I will bring upon them an evil from which they shall not be able to escape. They will call out to me for help, but I will not listen to them.» Jeremiah 11:11

A little girl watches television. The year is 1986. The Hands Across America campaign is in full swing, calling for greater solidarity in the United States. One of many TV commercials that should leave a child indifferent. Cut. We find the little girl with her mom and dad on the beach in Santa Cruz at the funfair. The anguish is palpable, while laughter and play dominate. It only took a moment for her father to look away, and the little girl to wander off. She's lost for a quarter of an hour. Trauma. Her parents find her and she no longer speaks.

Nowadays. The situation seems to have improved considerably for the child, who is now a woman, Adelaide. She's a mother in her own right. The family returns to Santa Cruz for the summer vacations. But too many coincidences remind the protagonist of the shock of her childhood. A premonitory fear, because what happens next is no joy. Power failure. «There's a family in our driveway,» remarks Jason, the son. And the family in question is not about to leave. They walk up to the house, and the rest is history. 

Beyond all expectations, Jordan Peele signs a film of incredible force. Classified under the horror genre, Us does so much more. This is cinema in the fullest sense of the word. Of course, the images and the story are not the most reassuring. Fear is just around the corner, but not terror. In fact, it's more of a thriller than a horror film in its own right. Even so, I'd advise you not to take your children with you; and if you're too sensitive, please don't go. 

The film does have its faults, however. Starting with the blood and violence. Not that they're overdone, but they simply don't serve the film. On the contrary, they paradoxically lessen the ambient anguish. After all, the fear is psychological, even spiritual, and the sight of blood and blows here and gashes there is more restful for the viewer. Is it necessary? Something to think about. Psychology also means symbols and coincidences that make you think and don't always augur well. Here again, the screenplay overdoes things, and the signs are a little crude at times.

And yet the film's symbols and metaphors are not to be dismissed. It doesn't really matter whether Jordan Peele is trying to pull the wool over Jordan Peele's eyes when it comes to incorporating too much meaning into his script. Because in any case, the elements presented are powerful. From a biblical saying to a pair of scissors to white rabbits, everything is thought-provoking, even if it goes beyond the script's intention, which leaves us very free in its interpretation.

In any case, the depth is certain. In fact, the film as a whole leads to an enigma: who are we? An enigma divided into a number of mind-bending and breathtaking little quests. Not too complicated, though. The richness of the scenario does not prevent the artistic work from displaying all its talent. Humor is also part of the story. The questions and mysteries raised byUs are arranged in a succession of scenes cut to perfection. 

The mise-en-scène is slow and dancing, giving way at critical moments to the aggression and speed of the characters. All of this is supported by sublime photography that contrasts the overexposure of the great American landscape with the darkness of the tunnels or the house at night. The fact that the actors are black - a Jordan Peele trademark - obviously contributes to the confusion at the edges of the face. Everything is dark, and only the actors' frozen white eyes stand out in the darkness. 

Not to mention the music, which sets the mood in its own right. Its composition is risky, however, in that it could veer into caricature. Dissected and dry, it is embellished with the voices of a choir. Horror films use and abuse them. But Usjust the right touch. Certainly distressing, the music takes the viewer further. It has both a religious and a pagan air. Monotonous and rhythmic. So many opposites that it's brilliant. And unforgettable. 

Us, is we. In shadow or light. In the wilderness or underground. In unfulfilled vengeance, or the search for peace. Us, It's us when we scream. When we scream and no one hears us. When we're left alone. In the face of a misfortune from which we cannot extricate ourselves.

Write to the author: loris.musumeci@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Universal Pictures