Transforming Calendar Phrases into Tales of Narrative
A 20-year-old book, a sci-fi tale, a beguiling protagonist marketed as hideous - a fresh film series debuts. Supposedly. "Ugly - Don't Shed Your Visage" emerges a decade late in the timeline.
Lively Tally (Joey King) anxiously anticipates her 16th birthday, the day she'll endure a procedure to morph from an "Ugly" to a "Golden." In Tally's society, beauty is the ultimate objective. The new Netflix movie "Ugly - Don't Shed Your Visage" sheds light on the sinister aspects of social media. With vivid visuals, it recreates the superficial beauty obsession in the youth of today. Flaunting glossy aesthetics and tired tropes, the movie attempts to convey the damaging impact of body ideals and social media shaming. Despite its noble intentions, the narrative often slips into stereotypes, minimizing its intended message.
In the end, "Ugly" as a whole is merely another shimmery, void facade that it allegedly criticizes. Based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Scott Westerfeld, the film falls short of its ambitious goal of genuine depth and emotional impact. "Ugly - Don't Shed Your Visage" appears as yet another desperate endeavor by a streaming platform to launch a franchise at any cost. It's all somewhat humorous and well-meaning, but ultimately forgettable.
For a comprehensive review of "Ugly - Don't Shed Your Visage" by Ronny Rüsch and Axel Max, tune in to the latest episode of the ntv podcast "Oscars & Raspberries." Also featured: the period drama "Stella. A Life.", the sitcom "Impeccably Missed," and the Michael Mann film "Miami Vice."
The Film industry often seeks to capitalize on societal issues by releasing movies like "Ugly - Don't Shed Your Visage," hoping to create a successful franchise. Despite its positive intentions, the film industry sometimes fails to deliver a profound message, often settling for tired tropes and stereotypes.
