The last two days I have reviewed two films with an interesting concept that failed to deliver on that concept. Step forward 'The Platform' (2019), a film with a really interesting concept that smashed it out of the park. This may be because it doesn't take place entirely on a computer screen, but it is mostly confined to one location and still manages be engaging and entertaining throughout. The film follows Goreng (Ivan Massague) who has voluntarily put himself into 'The Hole'. 'The Hole' is a vertical prison separated by floors of two people, where the lower floors only get the food that is left to them by the upper floors. Every month the prisoners are moved to a new platform and, depending where they are placed, will have more or less food than the previous month. This leads to greed from the people above and desperation from the people below, who will do almost anything to survive.
The films concept is really simple, but it allows for a lot of interesting narrative threads and character development throughout the runtime. Depending on which floor the characters end up on depends on the intensity of the experience. When Goreng is on higher floors the film has a bit of down time to relax, and when he is lower floors is when it picks back up. And boy does it pick up. This film is an intense viewing experience, mainly due to the excessive amounts of gore. I am usually not a gorehound. Films like the 'Saw' films or 'Final Destination' films, although they can be entertaining, don't make me squirm when the gory scenes happen. This film had me almost hiding behind my hands at parts because what I was looking at was so gruesome. And I don't just mean in regards to body horror. Some of the most disgusting imagery in the film is when the people are eating, or more like gorging, on the food. It is genuinely disgusting to look at, but it is meant to be. The film is also visual interesting despite being confined to a space that is pretty much empty. Four concrete walls, sink, toilet, big hole in the ground and roof. That is it. But the cinematography and lighting allows for interesting visuals throughout and you never feel bored by what you are saying. The narrative is also interesting, if not dark and depressing, and the pacing is all well done. It is also a very politically charged film, but not one that will hold your hand throughout. It allows you think for yourself on what it is trying to say, but also would definitely work as a dark and gory thriller.
The film is also very well performed. There are only 5 major characters within the film, and only 4 with any real amount of screen time or dialogue, but all of them do a really good job. Antonia San Juan puts in a good performance as Imoguiri, an employee of the company who runs 'The Hole' who voluntarily enters it to try and help the people within there. She manages to capture the vibe of a naive representative of this company who thinks people negotiation will be successful with the other people in the whole, but also manages to capture depression well when she realises she has no chance of escaping. The next performance of note comes from Zorion Eguileor, who plays Goreng's cell mate, Trimagasi. Trimagasi is a slightly mad and scared old man and Eguileor manages to portray this brilliantly. He is equal parts scary, funny, sympathetic and aggravating and all of this is captured brilliantly in the performance. The final performance of note comes form Ivan Massague who plays the lead role of Goreng. It is a role that requires Massague to show a large acting range as he starts as a normal person, unaware of the horrors of 'The Hole'. By the end he has seen and done things that have changed his personality and outlook on life completely, and Massague has to change his performance to match this, and Massague does really, really well in getting this change across through his performance.
'The Platform' isa film that I was thinking I would most likely enjoy going in, and I was not disappointed. It is not a perfect film and the political underbelly of the film does lead to a couple of confusing narrative threads, but on the whole it is a very entertaining film with a well paced narrative and fun visuals which keep you entertained throughout. It is also pretty gross. The visuals can be disgusting and squirm inducing at times, but this is an aspect of the film that keeps it entertaining as you are always curious how they will up the ante with each sequence. I do recommend the film, but only if you don't mind copious amounts of blood. If that doesn't bother you then it is definitely worth a watch, and is a great analogy for the ridiculous stockpiling that has been happening around the world lately.