Old Dolio Dyne

Kajillionaire (2020, Miranda July) is an indie comedy set in LA mapping a moral profile of each of its four central protagonists. And none of them ever ring false. 

     I love this movie, is its modern, exquisitely designed narrative. At one point in the movie, OLD DOLIO is said to be incapable of tender feelings. When we think about it, we know this isn’t true. I first pondered the possible irony that for Old Dolio’s parents to even consider this, wouldn’t that mean they are incapable? For me Kajillionaire is about people struggling to deal with tender feelings—whether personal, filial, social or romantic.

     But what impresses me most is this sense of Miranda July really figuring out the trajectory of events and how the emotions of each character are constantly explored in context to their moral choices. And she does this in a way where it makes the film feel personal and not like the usually Hollywood commercial product. 
     The conflict is simple--$2500 owed for 3 months back rent. In Kajillionaire, July focuses and commits to this, wringing an entire microworld form it. Again, I really love how every single beat in this movie fits together and every moment is definitive in allowing us to know these characters.
 
     The wide angle compositions and cool color temperature give Kajillionare a distinctly stylized look. And the spacey dreamy score enhances it. But for me my only personal stumbling block is that Old Dolio dresses, talks, and dances like Napoleon Dynamite. That and her only friend is a Puerto Rican girl. Yeah I know his is a Mexican boy but for me I can’t shake the comparison. And okay maybe the dance comparison is a stretch, especially if you’ve seen The Future (2011, July). 
     In Kajillionaire Miranda July’s idiosyncratic imaginative craft is prevalent, and peerless.
 
9/27/2020 Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
Atlanta, GA

DCP