Sweat

A movie that delves into the life of a successful fitness influencer. The trappings of fame... The loneliness of online popularity... The dangers of opening yourself up to public obsession... All of those are interesting subjects that could make for a riveting story. "Sweat" doesn't quite hold the attention well enough to recommend. It all feels shallow and underdeveloped. A decent try -- well acted -- but hollow.

Magdalena Kolesnik does a masterful job in this tough and uncomfortable movie regarding fame, social media and private vs. Public life. While some people could be turn off because of being somewhat a slow-burner, I was in the story of this woman the whole time. Great movie!

Good movie, but at the end I had a perception of a good idea a little badly developed. Some points of this world of web celebrities could be better explored. However, the director was sutil and soft in certains points of views, as in the triviality of relationships, in the loneliness and in the corrosive relation with the protagonist's mother.

I think I have a problem with art movies, when I watch French movies, cannes choices or other festival films, I don't know what I say after finishing. For example in this movie, what was the main thing? I cannot decide, life of influencer? Beautiful girl with mother problems? Too much social media? I think after movie, yo have to watch online conversation with director and casting. It is really more enlightening than movie.

Raising but not wholly dealing with a range of issues, this could be a good film to discuss with a group of friends that have all seen it.

Over and above the brutal "fitness" regime, being an always-on Instagram influencer looks like *very* hard work, and this film (and the lead actor) illustrates that excellently, in my view. Where I'm less sure about it is in the handling of the various side-issues... for example her relationship with her mother and the mall conversation with the schoolfriend - the latter was quite affecting but then they seemed to just "move on". Also, I'm sure that someone that glamorous and high-profile would attract more than one stalker... and I'm unsure about the handling of her culpability in what happens to him.

Nevertheless, it was more interesting than I expected and had a nice circular arc between the opening and closing scenes. Worth a look.