Sanctuary

Pointifully performative and bitingly funny-- as a rom-com *Sanctuary* is less of a character study and more of an intense single discussion between Christopher Abbott, Danita Battle, and he prying eye of the viewer. This does feel like a more twisted Netflix or Apple TV date night movie and while the cast carries the film, it does so through both the best of times and the worst of times. While the film's opening is gripping and sexy, and the ending emotionally powerful, very little happens between minute 30 and minute 85.

To make matters less convenient, the actors and filmmakers make it painfully obvious in the first 20 minutes that the Dom is in love with Hal and feels the need to demonstrate her value without telling her Sub, "I love you." That would ruin the power dynamic. The result, is a story that feels drawn with a few aimless scenes. I would expect this from a movie with 30 minute long scenes.

Films like this seem to rest in the strength of their cinematography, acting (mostly closeups), and the dramatic tension in the dialogue. Director Zachary Wigon, and writer Micah Bloomberg can relax because of the good acting and editing on display here (many movies do); however *Sanctuary* may have had stronger foundations and really stuck the landing if they didn't.

A sensually dominant vibrance paired with a comedically dark spotlight on the societal flaws that we've created for gender roles. Margaret Qualley is an absolute movie star, showcasing a performance with utter confidence in her range and complete control with her emotions. Her chemistry with Christopher Abbott is sharp and timely with a specific whit that is admirable yet terrifying at times with purposeful misdirection. The environment is predominantly stationary, only ever expanding between a couple rooms and a hallway within a hotel, but the pacing remains tense and the score seeps in desperately for a deeply fascinating experience. An ambiguous introduction that is properly complemented by a satisfying conclusion.

And yet, somehow it's better than 50 Shades Of Grey! It's the same messed up, kinky sex thing. It's the same messed up, kinky relationship thing. And in the end, it's the same messed up, kinky love thing. I don't know why, but everything felt way better, deeper, and more visceral than 50 Shades. Maybe it's the directing? Maybe it's the acting? The screen-writing? Who knows? But I get more satisfaction from watching this movie than when I watched 50 Shades trilogy. Maybe because it's more concentrated than 50 Shades? I don't know. All I know is that this movie is more interesting than 50 Shades trilogy.

I feel like I harp on this point too often, but 'Sanctuary' is another prime example of a film doing so much with so little. You could make this film with next to no budget, and simply with a terrific script and great performances you have a film that is infinitely more compelling than your average $250 million blockbuster. This was a good one.

To stretch a concept this seemingly simple out over 95 minutes without it becoming stale is a hell of an effort. There were a couple of times where I thought the film was losing steam, but then a new angle would come up and it was like the film was starting fresh again. Even when the film ended I would've happily watched another 30-40 minutes of this story.

I love the air of mystery surrounding the events in the film. I really had no idea where it was headed. In fact I had a theory but that turned out to be aggressively wrong. This was a very well crafted film. 9/10.

The only reason I viewed this was because I've become sort of fascinated by the films that Christopher Abbott takes on. He is not remotely interested in the norm in his many indie films. I've also been impressed now and then by Margaret Qualley. I have now mentioned the entire cast of this film and for an hour and a half we watch these two strange people go at each other. He is a very rich man who has a kink about being dominated and she is a dominatrix. He wants to end these paid for "get-togethers", but she has other ideas. A lot of this is very unpleasant to view and I almost turned it off, but I'm glad that I didn't as it's an odd film, sort of a clever one, that only really provides some satisfaction because of its very final scene which out of the blue put a big smile on my face. That didn't really make it a very good film, but it did make it more interesting, sort of after the fact.