Promising Young Woman

I was surprised when it was announced that Promising Young Woman was nominated for Best Picture, as my impression of the movie (before seeing it) was that it was a one-note revenge fantasy anti-man flick.  I was wrong, it has more than one note.  Actually, I was impressed by the range of emotions that were displayed in the main character, played by Carey Mulligan.  There are the emotions that you would expect in a woman who has taken it upon herself to protect vulnerable women from despicable men; anger, distrust, hurt, and numbness.  But Mulligan makes the character sympathetic by showing other emotions, which aren't expected in someone so hardened; joy, optimism, and mercy.  The result is a revenge fantasy anti-man flick that's also a well made film, checking-off the previously mentioned boxes of story, character, and action.  The director Emerald Fennell's stylistic approach is very interesting, and also elevated the film out of its genre.  The look is best described as Sofia-Coppola-esque, with one of my favorite moments coming towards the end of the film, as one character's reaction to the Pepto Bismol colored furnishings was priceless.  I had to smile at the music selection; the "man" theme, and the cover of Britney Spears' Toxic were perfect choices, helping to establish the atmosphere, and were in service to the story.  After seeing the film, I'm not at all surprised that Promising Young Woman was nominated for Best Picture; in a year where absolutely nothing happens in half the films nominated, it was refreshing to see a film that saw something through to the end.