IN idol, from HBO, the world of fame is a resonator for the public’s desires. Not just by playing desires and twisted obsessions in a show that shakes popular culture. Also in the perception of the stars as disposable elements in favor of the greater good.
The series explores fame and celebrity in terms of the fact that there is a manipulative machine behind every successful celebrity. What makes it a product of mass consumption, dehumanized and corrupted by recognition.
From his first scenes idol shows singer Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) angry that she can’t show her nudity in a publicity photo. A very young vocalist is trying to fight a sea of identical faces, among which she wants to stand out.
The screenplay by Sam Levinson, Reza Faheem, The Weeknd, Joe Epstein and Mary Lowes shows the character’s frantic need as a lost way to showcase his talent. You want to be recognized, adored. Become a milestone that surpasses any other. To do this, he knows that he must break the rules. And he will do it at every opportunity.
idol
Sam Levinson’s Idol for HBO is a twisted take on fame. But despite the dazzling visuals, the script lacks the power to tell its sordid story, focused only on controversy. The plot, which tells how a very young singer finds herself in a painful relationship with a man who can lead her to fame, lacks elements to inspire credibility. The production is based on its ability to be loud and clumsy. Something that isn’t always justified by an interesting narrative or the sheer coherence of a narrative. Despite his ambition, he fails to explore the dark places he alludes to. This is nothing but a collection of shocking images pursuing direct provocation.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Controversial start idol
When the story begins, the main character already has fame and fame, but she needs something more. So complex and powerful that it powerfully consolidates his personality. In fact, in the first few minutes idol he aims to promote the idea that every scene of his wants to evoke a reaction. Either surprise, or disgust, or bewilderment.
idol it’s a notion of collective validation, tied to the idea that our culture needs people to root for. But also destroy and forget. Thus, the need to remain visible is a requirement that always requires new expectations. This results in every aspiring celebrity having to face their own limitations, taboos and fears.
Soft story with controversial scenes
Jocelyn It could have been Britney Spears, although history makes it clear that this brilliant fictional star is not based on any real one. However, it is obvious that idol supports her influence with obvious parallels with the great divas of pop music. Especially since his research is poorly fueled by the scandals, not the triumphs, that surround these big names in the entertainment world.
If something is especially regretted in idol it is her thinly veiled attempt to use every resource at her disposal to stir up controversy. Character research focuses solely on how repulsive or violent they can be due to well-known stereotypes. The plot starts off by making it clear that she aims to become awkward as quickly as possible. But repeating an idea tends to upset the delicate balance between an intriguing show and a show with obvious intentions.
The price of fame
Particularly because each element is built from a clumsy frontality devoid of depth. idol It’s a risky bet to the extent that it has to be surprising to be effective, but it doesn’t always work out. In fact, his story becomes more and more obvious if the obvious parallels are drawn.
The well-known story of a talented star in the hands of manipulative power becomes in this case a look at our culture. To their demands, mistakes and abuses. Jocelyn she goes from a singer who wants to showcase her talent in search of fame to a victim of her own ambitions. More than once the plot idol hints that the character goes from rags to riches, not understanding the complexities of the world around him.
Thus, he blindly surrenders to all these new experiences that are within his reach. From explicitly sexual photos to the constant feeling that her career is hanging in the balance. The script tries to show explosive growth, but everything that happens in its first chapter is contextual.
Surface riot idol
Quickly, the series indicates that Jocelyn he is a victim of the desire to break any imposition. Public morality, the limits of the feminine and even the definition of the artistic. The singer is a teen idol who wants to stop being one. But along the way, his public rebellion turns into a personal abyss.
The premise could be effective if the figure of a singer about to achieve world fame were less dependent on her overt impact. There are no scenes in idol it’s not carefully designed to generate the emotional jolt and subsequent discussion. Discussions about women’s individual freedom over their bodies, out of context and collective opinion, or about overt sexuality, are subtly filmed.
Each of its fragments analyzes popular culture’s relationship with its great heroes on the basis of what is unpleasant and demeaning. At some points the combination is effective – and gives the series its best moments – but at others it just shows the obvious need to be artificially evil.
scandal everywhere
idol dedicates its first chapter to delving into its central idea. In the dynamics of fame, a wrong move can lead to unexpected consequences. Thus, the provocative image causes the first serious PR crisis Jocelyn. Her days as a youth idol are numbered, and the artist knows it.
So her search for a solution leads her almost by chance to meet Tedros (Weekend). Combining exploiter, pimp and marketing visionary, this music entrepreneur knows he can Jocelyn in Star Along the Way, director Sam Levinson delves into the pernicious, often violent and demanding relationship between the two.
idol seeks to create tension around an inevitable future event. Jocelyn she is destined to be all the strength and courage on the stage. Tedrosto become an obsession that will take her into an unknown world of pleasure and desire. But the script lays out the situation so clumsily that it only presents the circumstances as something that has to happen in order for the story to move forward.
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From a character who masturbates until he almost chokes to an overtly sexy musical number. idol uses every means at his disposal to support the idea of a catastrophe that will occur and devastate Jocelyn, his world and his hopes. But it fails to convey decadence. This misguided approach to the dark side of celebrity life is taken too seriously to be malicious. At the same time, it lacks the identity to be dark or show degradation as more than an incident typical of its characters’ bumbling.
Source: Hiper Textual
