High-Rise (film)

High-Rise

Teaser poster
Directed by Ben Wheatley
Produced by Jeremy Thomas
Written by Amy Jump
Based on High Rise 
by J.G. Ballard
Starring
Music by Clint Mansell
Cinematography Laurie Rose
Edited by
  • Amy Jump
  • Ben Wheatley
Production
company
Distributed by StudioCanal
Release dates
  • 13 September 2015 (2015-09-13) (TIFF)
  • 18 March 2016 (2016-03-18) (United Kingdom)
Running time
 119 minutes[1]
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Box office $3.7 million[2]

High-Rise is a 2015 British thriller directed by Ben Wheatley, starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, and Elisabeth Moss.[3] The screenplay by Amy Jump is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by J.G. Ballard.[4] It was produced by Jeremy Thomas through his production company Recorded Picture Company.[5][6]

In September 2015, the film received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and its European premiere at the 63rd San Sebastián Film Festival. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2016 by StudioCanal.

Plot

The film opens with Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) living in a ravaged apartment tower. He captures a white Alsatian dog and spit roasts it over a makeshift fire while sitting on his apartment balcony. The film proceeds to recount the events of the previous three months.

After the death of his sister, Laing moves into a 25th floor apartment within a new high-rise tower, a luxurious apartment complex built by esteemed architect Anthony Royal (Jeremy Irons). The high-rise provides its tenants all of the conveniences and commodities that modern life has to offer: swimming pools, schools, a supermarket, a restaurant, and high-speed elevators. By the same token, there is little reason to leave the building, and its occupants (generally upper- and middle-class professionals, business people, and media figures) become increasingly isolated from the outside world, retreating instead into the tower's secure environments and parties. Before long, underlying antagonisms begin to emerge between the tenants, as does a loose system of social stratification amongst the different sections of the building: the posh upper-class who live on the topmost floors, the professionals who live on the middle floors, and the rabble-rousing poorer tenants who live on the lower floors.

After an encounter with Royal's aide, Charlotte Melville (Sienna Miller), Laing attends a party held in Charlotte's apartment directly above his. The next morning, Laing is invited to meet Royal, who invites him to attend a party held by his wife, Ann (Keeley Hawes). Ann jokes about Laing's attire, and he is thrown out of the party. On the way back a power failure causes Laing to become stuck in the elevator. Other technical faults begin to emerge throughout the high rise, and garbage chutes are clogged up. After a game of squash with Royal, the architect explains that these are merely teething problems.

Later, at work, Laing is given a brain scan of a trainee, Munrow (Augustus Prew), who fainted during an autopsy on a schizophrenic's head. Munrow is also a resident of the high-rise, and laughed at Ann's joke. Wanting revenge, Laing lies to Munrow, telling him that they "found something" in his brain.

Laing attends a children's birthday party on the second floor, with Richard Wilder (Luke Evans) and his heavily pregnant wife Helen (Elisabeth Moss), two people he met at Charlotte's party. After Helen mentions that the children were turned away from the pool for being too noisy, Wilder brings the children to the pool, interrupting a party held by actress Jane Sheridan (Sienna Guillory). While swimming during another power outage, Wilder kills Jane's pet dog. Later, a drunken Munrow commits suicide by dropping off the high rise to his death. The next morning, Wilder angrily visits Laing, ranting about how "not one police car turned up" after Munrow's death.

Life in the high-rise begins to degenerate quickly, due to continued power failures, petty annoyances among the neighbours and increasing tensions among the classes. Parties are held in the corridors and as infrastructure breaks down litter accumulates around the building and the supermarket is near empty. Laing starts to become less connected with his job in London, while becoming more violent when returning to the high rise. Laing also starts to develop remorse on lying to Munrow.

In time the majority of the residents stop going to work altogether, spending all of their time in the high-rise. They eventually divide into violent 'tribes'. One resident, Pangbourne (James Purefoy), suggests that they should beat up Wilder and collect supplies from the supermarket, in order to have a better party than the lower-floored people. Wilder is severely beaten, while his cine-camera records the fight, and is dumped outside of the building.

Laing is visited by Helen, and they form a romantic relationship. After Helen leaves, she is taken by Pangbourne to the top, where she becomes a replacement housemaid. Laing later receives a letter from Pangbourne, asking him to perform a lobotomy on Richard Wilder. Cosgrove (Peter Ferdinando), the only resident who leaves for work, is captured and killed while returning to the high-rise.

Wilder wakes up and decides to find Royal and kill him. Ironically he encounters Royal in the lobby who is explaining to a policeman that everything is fine in the building. Wilder makes his way up the high rise, eventually finding out that Charlotte is Royal's aide, and acquiring a gun from an apartment he raids. Entering Charlotte's apartment, he tortures her to find a way up to Royal's penthouse. Wilder is eventually met by Laing, who performs a psychiatric examination. Laing is captured by Pangbourne, and almost thrown off the building when he refuses to lobotomise Richard Wilder, but is saved by Royal.

Laing and Royal eat dinner (where it is implied that the meat was either human or horse), and talk about the failure and ultimate success of the high rise; that it is a "crucible for change" and could lead to new developments. The women at the top, including Helen, begin working towards a more suitable management of the high rise. Helen also gives birth to her overdue child. Wilder manages to make his way to the penthouse, and shoots Royal after a scuffle. He is summarily killed by the women of the top.

The film ends as it began, with Laing eating the Alsatian. The women of the top have managed to form a new sort of society, Laing tends to people who are injured, then lies down with Charlotte in his arms, ready to greet the people of the new high-rise neighbouring them to the failure that entailed within theirs. The film ends with Toby, Charlotte's son (earlier revealed to be Royal and Charlotte's illegitimate child), listening to a speech of Margaret Thatcher.

Cast

Production

Development

British producer Jeremy Thomas had wanted to make a film adaptation of J.G. Ballard's High-Rise since the 1970s.[15] He tried to make it in the late 1970s with Nicolas Roeg directing from a script by Paul Mayersberg.[16][17] In the 2000s, Thomas began developing the project with screenwriter Richard Stanley and director Vincenzo Natali, with the film intended as a loose adaptation of the novel.[18][19][20]

In 2013, Wheatley started looking into who held the rights to the book, which led him to Thomas.[21] Wheatley has remarked: “The book makes as much sense now as it did then. It was written in the '70s, projecting itself into a near future, but we live in that future now. We’re almost in a new version of the '70s.”[22]

Screenwriter Amy Jump, who is also Wheatley's wife, adapted the book.[23][24][25]

Hiddleston's involvement in the project was announced in February 2014 after he was cast in the role of Dr. Robert Laing. Hiddleston had previously worked with Thomas on Jim Jarmusch's 2013 film Only Lovers Left Alive. Hiddleston said: "I'm greatly looking forward to working again with Jeremy Thomas and Recorded Picture Company... It’s a huge privilege to be asked to collaborate on this brave and daring piece of work".[24] Wheatley said of Hiddleston: "He is the perfect Laing to me. He brings an intelligence, vulnerability and humor to his roles, be they art-house or blockbuster that will make Laing come alive."[5]

It was announced in June 2014 that Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss had joined the cast,[10] and Augustus Prew and James Purefoy were also confirmed.[9][12]

Clint Mansell composed the soundtrack for the film.[26]

International sales were handled by HanWay Films, and key financiers included the British Film Institute and FilmFour.[10][22]

Filming

Principal photography began in July 2014 in Belfast,[3] primarily in the seaside resort town of Bangor, Co. Down.[27][28]

On 3 July 2014, director Ben Wheatley tweeted pictures of the set.[29] On 6 August 2014, Tom Hiddleston tweeted a photograph of himself from the set seen in character as Laing, together with Wheatley, Luke Evans and director of photography Laurie Rose.[30]

Elisabeth Moss later remarked on Wheatley and the shoot: "I don't know anyone who makes movies like he does... (it was) like if you gave him a bigger crew, a little bit more money, costumes and hair and makeup, all of that stuff that maybe he hasn't had before. It was so fun, he is just a fucking genius and he's so funny."[31]

Release

Prior to production on the film, it was announced that StudioCanal and The Jokers would be distributing the film in the United Kingdom and France respectively.[10] In August 2015, it was announced that Soda Pictures would distribute the film in Canada.[32] The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 13 September 2015.[33] It had its international premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival on 21 September 2015.[34] The film went onto screen at the London Film Festival on 9 October 2015, and the Torino Film Festival on 22 November 2015.[35][36] Shortly after, it was announced Magnet Releasing had acquired United States distribution rights to the film.[37] The film is scheduled to be released on 18 March 2016 in the United Kingdom.[38] The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on 28 April 2016, through video on demand prior to being released in a limited release on 13 May 2016.[39][40]

Reception

At the time of writing, it holds a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with no consensus as of yet.[41] IGN awarded High-Rise a score of 7.0 out of 10, saying "Enjoyably dark and disturbing adaptation of one of J.G. Ballard's best."[42] Tim Robey of The Telegraph awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, praising the brutality and dark comedy.[43] Kate Wilson of Varsity gave the film a 5-star review, calling it a "masterpiece".[44]

Awards and accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients and nominees Result
British Independent Film Awards[45] 6 December 2015 Best Actor Tom Hiddleston Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Sienna Miller Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Luke Evans Nominated
Best Screenplay Amy Jump Nominated

See also

References

  1. ↑ "HIGH-RISE (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "High-Rise (2016) - International Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 George Wales (5 February 2014). "Ben Wheatley confirms Tom Hiddleston for High-Rise". Total Film. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Andreas Wiseman. "Jeremy Irons Heads For High Rise". Screen International. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 Leo Barraclough. "Berlin: Tom Hiddleston to Star in Ben Wheatley’s J.G. Ballard Adaptation ‘High-Rise’". Variety. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Tom Hiddleston to film in Northern Ireland this June". Radio Times. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Jess Denham (5 February 2014). "Tom Hiddleston cast as lead in film adaptation of JG Ballard's High-Rise". The Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 Stuart Kemp (14 May 2014). "Cannes: Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller Get Keys for ‘High-Rise’". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 Oliver Lyttelton (13 June 2014). "'The Hobbit' Star Luke Evans Joins Tom Hiddleston In Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise'". Indie Wire. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leo Barraclough. "Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss Join Ben Wheatley’s ‘High-Rise’". Variety. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Tom Hiddleston's 'High-Rise' Co-Star Sienna Guillory Responds To Twitter Criticism Over 'Slut-Shaming' Actor's Fans". Fashion&Style. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Augustus Prew | Curtis Brown Literary and talent agency". Curtis Brown Literary and talent agency. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  13. ↑ Kevin Jagernauth (30 June 2014). "Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise' Adds 'Nymphomaniac' Actress". Indie Wire. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  14. ↑ "High Rise" (PDF). Bettapictures.com. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  15. ↑ Louise Jury. "High rise drama and David Hockney in frame for new British films". The Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  16. ↑ Calum Marsh. "Lost in Translation: Notes on Adapting Ballard". The Paris Review. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  17. ↑ Owen Williams (29 August 2013). "Ben Wheatley Directing Ballard's High-Rise". Empire Online. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  18. ↑ Todd Brown. "Richard Stanley Scripting Vincenzo Natali's HIGH RISE". Twitch Film. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  19. ↑ Anthony Kaufman. "Director Vincenzo Natali on ‘Splice’: ‘It’s a dangerous film on a number of levels’". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  20. ↑ Matt Goldberg. "SPLICE Director Vincenzo Natali Talks HIGH RISE and NEUROMANCER". Collider. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  21. ↑ Ben Child (29 August 2013). "Ben Wheatley to direct adaptation of JG Ballard's High Rise". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  22. 1 2 Chris Hewitt. "First Image From Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise". Empire Magazine. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  23. ↑ Ben Wheatley (5 February 2014). "High Rise". Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley Website. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  24. 1 2 Andreas Wiseman. "Tom Hiddleston to star in Ben Wheatley's High-Rise". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  25. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione. "Berlin: Tom Hiddleston to topline High-Rise". Deadline.com. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  26. ↑ "Clint Mansell Scoring Ben Wheatley’s ‘High-Rise’". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Tom Hiddleston spotted on the set of ‘High Rise’ in Northern Ireland". On Location Vacations. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  28. ↑ Christine. "‘High Rise’ film to be shot in Bangor this summer". North Down Borough Council. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  29. ↑ Brigid Brown (3 July 2014). "First Look: Director Tweets ‘High-Rise’ Set Photos, Thriller Stars Tom Hiddleston". BBC America. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  30. ↑ Emma Daly (7 August 2013). "Tom Hiddleston tweets group picture from the set of High-Rise". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  31. ↑ Kevin Jagernauth (14 October 2014). "Interview: Elisabeth Moss Talks 'Listen Up Philip,' Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise' & A 'Mad Men' Spinoff". The Playlist. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  32. ↑ Soda picks up rights to 'High-Rise', 'Disorder'
  33. ↑ "High Rise". TIFF.net. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  34. ↑ "High Rise". Sansebastianfestival.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  35. ↑ "High Rise". Bfi.org. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  36. ↑ "High Rise". TorinoFilmFest.org. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  37. ↑ Sharf, Zack (7 December 2015). "Ben Wheatley's 'High-Rise' Acquired by Magnet Releasing". Indiewire.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  38. ↑ Gallagher, Brian (14 December 2015). "‘High-Rise’ Trailer Starring Tom Hiddleston & Sienna Miller". MovieWeb.com. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  39. ↑ "High Rise". MagnetReleasing.com. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  40. ↑ "50 Most Anticipated Movies of 2016". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  41. ↑ "High-Rise (2016) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  42. ↑ Tilly, Chris (September 29, 2015). "High-Rise Review". IGN.
  43. ↑ Robey, Tim (14 September 2015). "High-Rise review: 'the height of decadence'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  44. ↑ Wilson, Kate (9 October 2015). "Film: High-Rise". Varsity. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  45. ↑ Ritman, Alex (3 November 2015). "'The Lobster' Leads British Independent Film Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter.

External links

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