TEEN SPIRIT: Elle Fanning Shines in a Simple Film
Max Minghella’s directorial debut isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a story we’ve seen countless times before. A shy teenager has her heart set on becoming a pop star. Viewers can spot where this narrative is going from a mile away. Yet, Teen Spirit is wholeheartedly worth the watch.
Elle Fanning Sings Her Heart Out
If it weren’t for Elle Fanning, Teen Spirit wouldn’t have any legs to stand on, but her captivating performance is enough to carry the entire film. Fanning stars as Violet Valenski, a 17-year-old girl living on the Isle of Wight. Violet’s got all the typical teen angst and desire to break free from her small hometown.
Unbeknownst to her mom, Violet sometimes sneaks out to sing at a local dive bar. There, she meets Vladimir Brajkovic (Zlatko Buric), who initially makes her uncomfortable, but when Violet ends up desperate for a ride home, the two become unlikely friends. Vlad even becomes a mentor to Violet as she pursues her interest in the Teen Spirit singing competition.
The majority of the story follows Violet on her quest for stardom, which is why the film heavily depends on the actress’ singing ability. Elle Fanning — much like the character she plays — proves she’s got what it takes. This isn’t exactly the first time we’re seeing Fanning sing and perform on stage. We got a taste of that in John Cameron Mitchell’s How to Talk to Girls at Parties (2017), but in Teen Spirit we genuinely get to hear her sing, and it’s quite impressive. Teen Spirit has a sparse story but it’s bolstered by Fanning’s singing.
A Star-Studded Soundtrack
One of Teen Spirit’s crowning achievements is its soundtrack. It’s obvious that Fred Berger (La La Land) and Interscope played a crucial role in the production process. Fanning covers exuberant songs like Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” and Ellie Goulding’s “Lights”. With each song she covers, she doesn’t just attempt to imitate the original vocals but, she adds something new in order to make each performance her own. Comparing her covers with the original songs might be a bit jarring because of the stark contrast in vocals, but Elle really gives it her all, and within the context of the film her vocals are utterly breathtaking. Fanning’s singing is enough to make Teen Spirit worth watching.
Kaleidoscopic and Neon-Drenched
Viewers may initially find Teen Spirit is evocative of Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon (2016). Of course both films star Elle Fanning, but visually they both employ a gorgeous neon color palette. However, Teen Spirit is much more lighthearted and bubbly in comparison. With a film that doesn’t have much substance to its storyline, style is key and cinematographer Autumn Durald (Palo Alto) is indispensable. Thanks to her, Teen Spirit feels like a music video brought to life; It is vibrant, glossy, and immersive. The combination of her cinematography and Elle’s stage presence is electrifying.
Teen Spirit: Conclusion
Despite a flimsy screenplay, Max Minghella’s Teen Spirit is a satisfying directorial debut. Mesmerizing cinematography, a danceable soundtrack, and a knockout performance from Elle Fanning are just enough to make up for the film’s bare bones and by-the-numbers narrative.
There’s been an influx of musical films lately; which one is your favorite? What do you think of Elle Fanning’s singing in Teen Spirit? Share your answers in the comments!
Teen Spirit was released in the U.S. on April 5, 2019.
