A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PORTRAIT.
After a school shooting, 14-year-old Celeste Montgomery’s (Raffey Cassidy) singing at a memorial service turns her into a national phenomenon; 17 years later, she’s the greatest threat to her own superstar status. A portrait of the rise of a pop diva in the shadow of tragedy – unfortunately, the film struggles to have anything new to say. However, it does grab our attention visually right from the start and it is startling to compare Celeste as a teen and an adult, much thanks to Natalie Portman’s magnificent performance as a jaded artist and mom. Cassidy is also very good in dual roles.
2018-U.S. 114 min. Color. Written and directed by Brady Corbet. Songs: Sia. Cast: Natalie Portman (Celeste Montgomery), Raffey Cassidy (Young Celeste/Albertine), Jude Law (The Manager), Stacy Martin, Jennifer Ehle, Maria Dizzia. Narrated by Willem Dafoe.
Trivia: Co-executive produced by Portman, Law and Sia. Rooney Mara was reportedly first considered for the lead.
