Provocative filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos' latest work, "Kinds of Kindness", veers back towards the surreal, reminiscent of his earlier films such as "The Lobster" and "Dogtooth". Co-written with Efthimis Filippou, the film resembles three movies compiled into a nearly three-hour anthology, delving into the various aspects of control, its allure, and its repercussions on fulfilling life experiences.
"Kinds of Kindness" seems like an assortment of three distinct movies that Lanthimos and Filippou sync together. While the thematic ties between them may evoke puzzle, Lanthimos’ command over the film's tone curtails all confusion. The trilogy reflects attempts to cook multiple dishes at once, rather than focusing on a single, unified meal. Despite this, the boldness of the project wins out, and the performance of the cast, led by a director experienced in ensemble work, champions the film's successful outcome.
The first segment of the anthology, “The Death of R.M.F”, is playful with a mystery embedded in its title. Jesse Plemons grapples with control as Robert Fletcher, a corporate drone who obeys every command set out by his dominating boss, Raymond (played by Willem Dafoe). The extremity of the character's situation echoes in the theatrics of Robert’s life, culminating in Raymond ordering Robert to commit murder.
Robert’s life spirals out when he hesitates to commit murder, which Raymond rationalizes as the victim’s wish. This defiance puts Robert in a predicament, leading him to worry over his replaceability and desperation to reclaim his place as a cog. Plemons' performance capitalizes on this, opening “The Death of R.M.F” to an engaging narrative about losing control and its disastrous consequences.
Upon escalation, the theme of control tangles a bit in the middle segment, "R.M.F. is Flying." Jesse Plemons, as a grieving Daniel, searching for his wife lost in a helicopter crash, delivers an engaging performance.
The finale, "R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich", ties everything together under a banner of destruction of autonomy. Plemons as Andrew along with Emma stone as Emily work for a cult attempting to reverse death run by Dafoe's character, Omi, who together with Aka (Hong Chau), is on a quest for an unknown woman who can resurrect the dead. The cult, by nature, is all about control, and Lanthimos exhibits this in a profoundly disturbing manner.
All chapters considered, "Kinds of Kindness" might not be as harmoniously tied together as Lanthimos' preceding films. Plemons' performances, however, are an impressively cohesive factor. Despite minor imperfections, the film is a testament to Lanthimos' confidence as a filmmaker, willing to venture into any territory, irrespective of audience expectations.
