Review High-Rise

The novel by J.G. Ballard is an incredible one and has always been a challenge to adapt. Producer Jeremy Thomas has tried for over 30 years to make this films and he finally succeeded with the help of an amazing cast.

Tom Hiddleston stars as Dr. Robert Laing, the newest resident of a luxurious apartment in a high-tech skyscraper whose lofty location places him amongst society’s upper class. Laing quickly settles in and meets the other tenants: Charlotte (Sienna Miller), a bohemian single mother; Wilder (Luke Evans), a charismatic documentarian who lives with his pregnant wife Helen (Elisabeth Moss); and Mr. Royal (Jeremy Irons), the building’s enigmatic architect. Life seems like paradise to the solitude-seeking Laing. But, as power outages become more frequent and building flaws emerge, mainly on the lower floors, social strata begins to crumble and the building descends into a class war. (film website)

Ben Wheatley (“A Field in England”, “Sightseers”)  comes from the world of advertisement and has an unique view of things. His movies are small independent endeavours which won’t appeal to everyone but which led to a certain niche public. The novel by Ballard is not an easy one to adapt because of the complexity and the subtlety of the matter. The film archives this without losing the pace.  The only problem with the film is that the explosion of emotions seems sudden and fast, but is understandable to keep the pace of the film.

Like we said the film will not appeal to everybody, being a metaphor for real life, taking events into extremes, forgetting rational thoughts. People are put into boxes, rich and poor, smart and stupid. As life in the building deteriorate, which is beautifully shot by Cinematographer Laurie Rose, people are retracting into a primal nature which is hauntingto see.

The cast led by the great Tom Hiddleston is impeccable. Luke Evans as “the sainest person in the building”, Jeremy Irons and James Purefoy are enchanting in their roles bringing to their character the perfect mix of arrogance and ambition.

The film is a very interesting social experiment which will make the viewer question its own sanity.