YNOT at the Movies

It's nothing new that disappointments or setbacks can devastate someone and provoke rage, even horror. We have seen such characters and episodes in movies like "Misery" (1990). That scenario is stylishly replayed in the writer-director Ti West's disturbing new film "Pearl" (Canada/USA 2022 | 102 min.), a prequel to the director's acclaimed horror flick "X" (2022). In this prequel, Mia Goth, who also shares the writing credit with Ti West, plays her heart out as an aspiring Texan girl whose dreams are bluntly shattered.

Even though this film is the prequel to "X," about a porn production in Texas in the '70s that turns deadly, it's not necessarily a requirement for you to watch "X" before watching "Pearl." In fact, it might be better if you watch "Pearl" first if you have not seen "X" yet. That way, you will have a better understanding of one of the key characters in "X," who was the protagonist in "Pearl" decades earlier.

Set in 1918, during the Spanish Flu pandemic near the end of World War I, Pearl (Mia Goth) lives on a farm in Texas with her first-generation German immigrant parents. Her mom (Tandi Wright) is bitter and restrictive toward her, and demands her to work hard on the farm and to care for her paralyzed father (Matthew Sunderland). But Pearl longs for a new life that is far away from her parents and the farm.

Despite her isolated life on the farm, somehow Pearl has enough knowledge about Hollywood and is determined to become a superstar in the film industry. After she meets a projectionist (David Corenswet) at a movie theater in town, she gets her first exposure to pornography as well. Oh, life is so much more than what is on the farm.

When the local church auditions a dance troupe, Pearl believes that this is her breakout point. She has to be the one chosen. When her best friend Misty (Emma Jenkins-Purro) also auditions for the part, the tension between them builds up. The stake is high.

Soon we learn that Pearl is not a girl who is going to take no as an answer, and she is going to remove any obstacle and revenge on any rejection while realizing her Hollywood dream.

From the very first frame, the director Ti West use the technicolor to give the movie a nostalgic look as if you are watching another version of "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). The striking visual terrifically captures the sunny and aspiring spirit of the young Pearl who lives in her fantasy world despite the harsh living environment and the dire circumstances during the pandemic.

But when things don't follow the path of Pearl's original plan, she snaps without mercy. Even though the film doesn't quite establish the psychological transition of her mind, nor create a completely original character, Mia Goth's extraordinary performance makes the character Pearl both convincing and captivating.

Chasing a Hollywood dream is definitely a deadly serious business for Pearl. It's not wise to give it any doubt, not to her.

"Pearl" opens on Friday, September 16, 2022.