«An evening with Beverly Luff Linn», an evening of extravagant tenderness

Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) - Virginia Eufemi

Jim Hosking returns to NIFFF for the second time - after The Greasy Strangler in 2016 - with a comedy flashy and disco. An evening with Berverly Luff Linn features Lulu (Aubrey Plaza), a young American woman married to Shane Danger (Emile Hirsch), the failed manager of a coffee shop shady. Together with his employees, this man orchestrates an unlikely and hilarious heist at the vegan store owned by his wife’s Indian brother. But when a strange guy named Colin (Jemaine Clement), hired by Lulu’s brother, tries to get the money back, Lulu flees with him, intending to attend Beverly Luff Linn’s (Craig Robinson) magic show. «But who is Beverly Luff Linn?!».

This wild and zany comedy is carried by brilliant actors who aren't afraid to make fools of themselves to entertain the audience. While the humor is sometimes childish, its deliberately cheesy vibe helps set the tone. seventies a quirky style that the director handles perfectly. So we’re willing to forgive this film for its awkward moments, because this comedy is, above all, a beautiful love story.

A world of love and humor

Amid wigs, cups of tea, and sweet cocktails, touching and endearing characters gradually come to life. The beautiful and charming Lulu, who is trying to heal the wounds of the past, is a woman who decides to take control of her own destiny. As for the other characters, we won’t say any more—we’ll let you discover their hidden tenderness for yourself.

Beyond the script, the set is carefully constructed and the costumes almost become a character in their own right. The setting is polished, despite these ill-considered characters, and pastel tones dominate. Jim Hosking undeniably plunges us into a suspended universe, an absurd microcosm that nonetheless makes perfect sense.

The audience is quickly captivated by the story; as proof, last night’s crowd at Les Arcades frequently interacted with the screen—clapping, laughing, and reacting to the comedic scenes or the characters’ actions. We’re quickly drawn in, sharing the emotions of this small world within this zany universe. The atmosphere, the music, and the acting create a strange pull that makes us accept the absurdity of certain moments—perhaps because it highlights the profound humanity of these characters.

For a magical evening with Beverly Luff Linn, come to NIFFF on Friday, July 13.

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Photo credit: © NIFFF