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
Budget £6.1 million (approximately US$8 million)[2]
Box office $3.9 million[3]

High-Rise is a 2015 British science fiction dystopian drama directed by Ben Wheatley, starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, and Elisabeth Moss.[4] It was produced by Jeremy Thomas through his production company Recorded Picture Company.[5][6] Its screenplay was written by Amy Jump and based on the 1975 novel of the same name by British writer J.G. Ballard.[7]

The film is set in a luxury tower block during the 1970s. Featuring a wealth of modern conveniences, the building allows its residents to become gradually uninterested in the outside world. The infrastructure begins to fail and tensions between residents become apparent, and the building soon descends into chaos.

In September 2015, the film received its world première at the Toronto International Film Festival and its European première 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 tower block, killing a white Siberian husky and spit roasting it.

The film flashes back to three months ago when life was more typical. The forty story high-rise tower on the outskirts of London, built by esteemed architect Anthony Royal (Jeremy Irons), is the epitome of chic, modern living. The upper echelons of society live in the top floors, while more common families live in the lower ones. The high-rise provides its tenants with a swimming pool, gym, spa, supermarket and even a primary school. There is little reason to leave the building outside of working hours and its occupants gradually become isolated from the outside world.

Laing moves into an apartment on the 25th floor, after his sister dies. He begins a relationship with single mother Charlotte Melville (Sienna Miller) and becomes a fatherly figure to her son, Toby (Louis Suc). He also becomes friends with Richard Wilder (Luke Evans) and his heavily-pregnant wife Helen (Elisabeth Moss), who live in a low-level apartment with their children. Laing works at a school of physiology. While he is cracking open a severed head, a student named Munrow (Augustus Prew) faints. Having taken a fall, he is given brain scans as a precaution. The next day, Laing is taken to the 40th story penthouse to meet Royal, he finds an opulent rooftop garden and is invited to a party being thrown by Royal's snobby wife, Ann (Keeley Hawes).

The party turns out to be an 18th-century costume party and Laing's everyday suit is ridiculed by Ann and other guests, including Munrow, who also lives in the building. Laing is thrown out of the party and becomes trapped in an elevator during a power cut. Such outages are becoming common, along with water being shut off and garbage chutes becoming blocked, much to the annoyance of the lower-floor residents. During a game of squash, Royal tells Laing that these are simply the growing pains of a new building.

Laing receives Munrow's brain scans, which come back clean. However, still angry about his humiliation, the vengeful Laing tells Munrow that they may have "found something". Another power out in the high-rise leads to a night of decadent partying in the hallways and apartments. A drunken and distressed Munrow commits suicide by jumping off the 39th floor, crashing onto the bonnet of a car. Wilder finds it suspicious that no police show up to the scene and becomes intent on exposing the injustices of the high-rise.

Law and order begin to disintegrate in the building due to the failing infrastructure and increasing tensions between floors. Violence becomes commonplace, food from the supermarket becomes scarce and the building devolves into class warfare between floors. Garbage bags are piled high in the fire and there are spot-fires and graffiti through the lower floors. It is implied that Royal has been bribing authorities to ignore the chaos within the high-rise. Feeling guilty about Munrow's suicide, Laing shows signs of mental disturbance, eventually barricading himself in his apartment and settling into the chaotic atmosphere, even having sexual intercourse with Helen.

Wilder, waking up from a fight with upper-floor residents, intends to find and kill Royal, believing him to be the cause of what has happened within the high-rise. Acquiring a gun from the Royal's former housekeeper, Wilder also finds that Charlotte is Royal's aide and that Toby is Royal's illegitimate child. Breaking into Charlotte's apartment, Wilder tortures and rapes Charlotte for information on Royal. The only resident who leaves the building for work, upper-floor resident and television newsreader Cosgrove (Peter Ferdinando), is captured and killed by a gang of lower-floor residents.

Some upper-floor residents ask Laing to lobotomize Wilder, as they believe he is a dangerous agitator causing the majority of the chaos in the building. After Laing conducts a psychiatric examination, he refuses, saying that Wilder is "possibly the sanest man in the building". Laing is nearly thrown off the building to his death for this, but Royal steps in and saves him. Laing and Royal talk about the failure and arguable success of the high rise, that it is a "crucible for change" and could lead to "new developments", as well as giving the residents the opportunity to escape to a new life. The women at the top begin working on a plan to establish new management of the building, and Helen gives birth to her overdue baby. Wilder manages to make his way to the penthouse and shoots Royal dead after a scuffle. He is then killed by Royal's harem of women, as Toby looks on through his kaleidoscope.

The film ends as it began in the ravaged high-rise. Violence has abated somewhat now that many residents lie dead, as well as many of the apartments in ruin. Laing appears to have gone insane, speaking about himself and to others in the third person and talking to the building. Laing then lies down with Charlotte, reflecting that what has happened will eventually reach the second tower of the high-rise development. The film ends with Toby listening to a radio broadcast of Margaret Thatcher saying that where there is state capitalism there can never be political freedom.

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 humour 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,[11] and Augustus Prew and James Purefoy were also confirmed.[10][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.[11][22]

Filming

Principal photography began in July 2014 in Belfast,[4] 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.[11] In August 2015, it was announced that Soda Pictures would distribute the film in Canada.[32] The film had its world première 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 the US distribution rights to the film.[37] The film was released on 18 March 2016 in the United Kingdom.[38] The film was released in the United States on 28 April 2016, with a day and date video on demand and theatricical limited release on 13 May 2016.[39][40]

Critical response

Tim Robey of The Telegraph awarded High-Rise 4 out of 5 stars, praising the brutality and dark comedy.[41] IGN awarded it a score of 7.0 out of 10, saying "Enjoyably dark and disturbing adaptation of one of J.G. Ballard's best."[42] Kate Wilson of Varsity gave the film a 5-star review, calling it a "masterpiece."[43] Rotten Tomatoes' tomatometer gives it a 63% score; the site's consensus is "High-Rise may not quite live up to its classic source material, but it still offers an energetic, well-acted, and thought-provoking take on its timely socioeconomic themes."[44]

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': Filming the 'Unfilmable' Ballard". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "High-Rise (2016) - International Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. 1 2 Wales, George (5 February 2014). "Ben Wheatley confirms Tom Hiddleston for High-Rise". Total Film. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  5. 1 2 Barraclough, Leo. "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. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas. "Jeremy Irons Heads For High Rise". Screen International. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Denham, Jess (5 February 2014). "Tom Hiddleston cast as lead in film adaptation of JG Ballard's High-Rise". The Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  9. 1 2 Kemp, Stuart (14 May 2014). "Cannes: Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller Get Keys for 'High-Rise'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  10. 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.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leo Barraclough. "Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss Join Ben Wheatley's 'High-Rise'". Variety. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Augustus Prew | Curtis Brown Literary and talent agency". Curtis Brown Literary and talent agency. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ Kevin Jagernauth (30 June 2014). "Ben Wheatley's 'High Rise' Adds 'Nymphomaniac' Actress". Indie Wire. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  15. ↑ Jury, Louise. "High rise drama and David Hockney in frame for new British films". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  16. ↑ Marsh, Calum. "Lost in Translation: Notes on Adapting Ballard". The Paris Review. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  17. ↑ Williams, Owen (29 August 2013). "Ben Wheatley Directing Ballard's High-Rise". Empire. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  18. ↑ Brown, Todd. "Richard Stanley Scripting Vincenzo Natali's HIGH RISE". Twitch Film. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  19. ↑ Kaufman, Anthony. "Director Vincenzo Natali on 'Splice': 'It's a dangerous film on a number of levels'". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  20. ↑ Goldberg, Matt. "SPLICE Director Vincenzo Natali Talks HIGH RISE and NEUROMANCER". Collider. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  21. ↑ Child, Ben (29 August 2013). "Ben Wheatley to direct adaptation of JG Ballard's High Rise". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  22. 1 2 Hewitt, Chris. "First Image From Ben Wheatley's High-Rise". Empire. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  23. ↑ Wheatley, Ben (5 February 2014). "High Rise". Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley Website. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  24. 1 2 Wiseman, Andreas. "Tom Hiddleston to star in Ben Wheatley's High-Rise". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  25. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy. "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. ↑ Daly, Emma (7 August 2013). "Tom Hiddleston tweets group picture from the set of High-Rise". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  31. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (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". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  41. ↑ Robey, Tim (14 September 2015). "High-Rise review: 'the height of decadence'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  42. ↑ Tilly, Chris (29 September 2015). "High-Rise Review". IGN.
  43. ↑ Wilson, Kate (9 October 2015). "Film: High-Rise". Varsity. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  44. ↑ "High-Rise (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  45. ↑ Ritman, Alex (3 November 2015). "'The Lobster' Leads British Independent Film Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter.

External links

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