I Saw the TV Glow

Screened at Cinemark Century at the River, Rancho Mirage, California.

The moment I saw this film's trailer it immediately went onto my calendar as a must-see. First, the film's studio A24 has basically turned into the 4AD of cinema, the original era of 4AD mind you. Not all their releases are to my liking, but you can count on a few things. The label has a clear vision, brand and aesthetic, all that fit my personal tastes and liking, and the releases are always unique, and of quality you can basically take to the bank. Second, the trailer seemed to hit every note, as if this film was made for me. A cool soundtrack, heavy nostalgia, tales of suburbia, beautifully surreal imagery, MOOD, a comfortable, cozy darkness. It's all there, and it felt like it could possibly be the quintessential A24 film going forward, the one you answer with when someone asks "What A24 film should I start with first?" Similar to how Cocteau Twins can be seen to define the 4AD sound, 'I Saw the TV Glow' could define the A24 look. Not to mention the clear shout out to the Cocteaus via the in-film TV show, 'The Pink Opaque.'

Overall, I would say all those boxes were checked, quite well in fact. I enjoyed 95% of the film, so while it did meet both the hype I built up on my own, and the hype seen in the world of cinephiles, I left the theater thinking I wasn't sure if I would ever even watch it again, nevermind hold it in high regard.

For me, what it came down to was this director is still getting her footing with this being just her second feature. The promise of becoming a truly great independent filmmaker is stronger now after this and her future is bright, but some shortcomings are preventing it from being something like "the new Donnie Darko." Something of that kind of cult status that really connects with a wider-than-usual audience. She has the visuals down. The mood down. The soundtrack down. What needs a lift is making the themes she's exploring here stronger and more defined, to give this the emotional weight that would allow the audiences to connect with it in bigger numbers. To me the theme felt like it was about feeling out-of-place, understanding your role in the world, coming to terms with and embracing exactly who you are as a person, and how that contributes to the environment you're first forced to live in, and then choose to live in. The problem is, that's my guess of the theme here. but I'm not entirely sure I have it right. With clearer definition, this could have been elevated further, and also would give the ending a true impact. As it is, that ending simply didn't work at all, and not only felt abrupt, but also did not land at all the punch it was trying to land.

Regardless, I highly recommend anyone to check this out. It's unique, has some heart, excellent visuals and atmosphere. So much of this film is done really well, and therein lies the promise for the future. She tried, ironically, to make the film that would define her career. While this doesn't seem to be the one, it to me shows that greatness still lies ahead.