Hi everyone!
Today we’re welcoming back One Movie Spouse for a review of that other Brie Larson film available right now, streaming exclusively on Netflix. She’ll give you her thoughts about the film in a minute, but don’t miss out on Amy’s other reviews for “On the Basis of Sex” (Episode #396), “Pick of the Litter” (Episode #410), “Free Solo” (Episode #414), and “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” (Episode #440). Oh yeah, and you can check out Amy’s excellent rescue at the beginning of our joint review for “Captain Marvel” (Episode #435).
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Take it away, Amy!
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Hi there!
It’s One Movie Spouse returning after an extended absence from movie reviews. Classroom life has kept me super busy, which is why you haven’t heard from me much. Or maybe you’re thinking, my reviews are so rare, I’m like a unicorn?! Either way here we go... MWAH!
Today’s movie is “Unicorn Store” (2019), the fantasy comedy film directed by Brie Larson and written for the screen by Samantha McIntyre. The film follows Kit (played by Brie Larson), an aspiring art student that is suddenly kicked out of art school and finds herself temping. However, a strange salesman (played by Samuel L. Jackson) makes Kit an offer to fulfill her childhood dreams, as long as she’s ready to accept the gift.
No spoilers!
Let me start by saying I love unicorns, fairies, mermaids, and other magical creatures! I think it’s important for people to be in touch with their creative side and to express themselves whether in music, dance, art, or drama. Having watched Brie Larson in her role of Captain Marvel, I was very eager to see her other work, especially today film where she’s also the director. I loved the colors of the costumes, props, and sets, especially The Salesman’s over-the-top colorful attire, and Kit’s pops of color in her clothing and accessories. The subtle (and not-so-subtle) dashes of expression reflected Kit’s more carefree childhood, as seen in the opening minutes of the film, with the happy nostalgia with her toys and collections, including the Care Bears and Rainbow Brite. And unfortunately, this is where my love of the film stops.
I’m sad to say this. I really wanted to love this film! But I just didn’t. As the trailer revealed, Kit gets kicked out of art school and then struggles to find herself as an adult. When she receives the mysterious invitations to visit The Unicorn Store, her childhood fascination with unicorns is rekindled. She has to demonstrate she’s ready for a unicorn before she can be sold one, however, and prepares for its arrival by enlisting a home improvement worker named Virgil (Mamoudou Athie) to build a stable and help acquiring food. It’s all very straightforward, but also comes with a lot of difficulties.
I was never really convinced by the story. Kit hasn’t seemed to grow beyond the age of twelve, even though she’s been away at college, and now returns home to start over. Her relationship with her parents is like a pre-teen girl, not a young woman who’s been out on her own. She’s very naive and socially awkward when it comes to developing relationships with other people, which often turn absurd and shallow. From an outside perspective, it would appear that she’s having a mental breakdown, trapped in her delusions. The storyline needed more development to help bridge fantasy and reality. I tried to see her as clinging to her artistic and expressive side while taking a dull office job to pay the bills, but the film missed the mark.
“Unicorn Store” is a film for unicorn lovers and creative types, and that’s probably it. While I enjoyed the colors and the themes, I was also left wishing for more. Tweens and others looking for a light-hearted fantasy film *may* enjoy this film, but keep your expectations low.
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Metacritic: 44
One Movie Punch: 4.0/10
“Unicorn Store” (2017) is rated TV-PG and is currently playing on Netflix.
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Joseph: Wow. With a Twitter handle like “When Rainbow Brite Grows Up”, you must have been really disappointed.
Amy: Yeah, I was.
Joseph: You know, there’s a simpler explanation for all of this.
Amy: What’s that?
Joseph: Pretty sure someone said Samuel L. Jackson would never be a unicorn salesman, and he was all like, “Wanna bet, mother…”
Amy: HUSH YO MOUTH!
Joseph: You’re right... you’re damn right.
