DeepSummary
The episode begins with a discussion of the new film Kinds of Kindness, a dark and bleak movie directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, featuring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Jesse Plemons in different characters across three interconnected stories about people going to extreme lengths to regain something they have lost.
The three critics, Glen Weldon, Bob Mondello, and Bhadatri Diet Chaudhary, share their overall thoughts on the film, finding it challenging, uncomfortable, and narratively unconventional, yet compelling in its exploration of cruelty, consent, and the consequences of breaking free from societal constraints.
They delve into each of the three segments, analyzing the performances, themes, and Lanthimos' stylistic choices, grappling with the film's moral ambiguity, lack of cohesion, and its ability to provoke thought-provoking questions about human nature.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Kinds of Kindness is a challenging, dark, and narratively unconventional film that explores themes of cruelty, consent, and the consequences of breaking free from societal constraints.
- The film features impressive performances from Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Jesse Plemons across three interconnected stories.
- Lanthimos' stylistic choices, such as flat delivery and moral ambiguity, provoke thought-provoking questions about human nature and societal norms.
- The film's lack of cohesion and unconventional narrative structure can be jarring, but also contribute to its ability to take viewers to unexpected places.
- Kinds of Kindness challenges traditional notions of storytelling and summer movie conventions, offering a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
- The critics grapple with the film's moral ambiguity and their own reactions to its depictions of cruelty and consent.
- The film raises questions about the extent to which kindness can be expected from others and the potential cruelty in demanding it.
- Kinds of Kindness is a film that requires processing and reflection, leaving the critics with more questions than answers.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I was also thinking, if cruelty underlines all kinds of kindness, like, you know, people who are kind, who we expect kindness from, is it cruel of us to demand this kindness from people like, you know, and, of course, like, it's a lengthy, most film. So you will ask yourself these questions.“ by Bhadatri Diet Chaudhary
- “There are moments in this movie, in this particular segment, where she's doing five or six different things at the same time and doing them gorgeously. And I just thought, ooh, also apparently driving a car, because she kept getting out of it after swerving. And I thought, did she really do that?“ by Bob Mondello
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Episode Information
Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR
6/28/24
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