During the day, Lucy (Browning), a student, engages in rather uninteresting activities: copying documents, swallowing some kind of medical tubing as part of vague research, and occasionally attending lectures. But in the evening, she finds a more captivating side job: Lucy starts visiting a mansion where young, scantily clad women are always in demand.
“Sleeping Beauty” had a stunning trailer – cold, intriguing, with a large “Jane Campion Presents” title, porcelain-like Emily Browning in the frame, and prim English narration. Alas, all the best parts of the film easily fit into that one minute and thirty seconds. Which are indeed very good.
The main character, Lucy, signs up to work as a waitress in a private club catering to specific interests. Girls in lingerie and without prejudice towards used lipstick serve neat old men at dinner, then offer them whiskey. One day, Lucy is invited to stay and move to the next level: she needs to take some narcoleptics, get a good night’s sleep in a beautiful bedroom, and not ask too many questions. Unfortunately, besides the nightlife of a carefree girl (which, although occasionally off-putting, at least never gets boring), Julia Leigh’s directorial debut touches on other activities of the heroine – and every time it’s unclear why, what for, and who all these people are.
The Enigmatic Allure of “Sleeping Beauty”
Julia Leigh possesses an elegant – who would argue? – manner of erasing cause-and-effect relationships to perfection. As a result, there are more questions than answers to the plot of “Sleeping Beauty,” but for some reason, it’s awkward to ask these questions. What if everyone else understood? This is a far from talentless, very well-made film about loneliness, coldness, and the role of a woman, which more or less boils down to a piece of meat. It deliberately appears closed off, a smooth, glass sphere. No, no one meant to say anything by this. Just get dressed and take your envelope, dear. Why? For no reason.
A Film Shrouded in Mystery
The film’s ambiguity is perhaps its most striking feature. It invites interpretation while simultaneously resisting easy answers. This deliberate obfuscation creates a sense of unease and compels the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths about objectification and societal expectations.
The Power of Visual Storytelling
Despite its narrative opacity, “Sleeping Beauty” is visually stunning. The film’s carefully composed shots and evocative use of color create a dreamlike atmosphere that enhances its themes of alienation and detachment.