Following the success of her award-winning album “Brat,” Charli XCX’s “Sweat Tour” led to the creation of her latest film, “The Moment.” The original idea by Charli XCX through A24 has received mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike since its awkward introduction to theaters.
The movie debuted in only four theaters on its Jan. 30 release date, and was planned to expand to more theaters on Feb. 6. The difference between the initial release and the nationwide release allowed for reviews to come out on the movie before audiences could see it, but many were not positive.
The film is based on a message Charli XCX sent to director Aidan Zamiri, a message that he refers to as “word vomit.” At times, this film shows the word vomit through its storyline.
The movie itself is very Charli XCX and very “Brat,” as was intended. The strobe-lit title cards illuminated the entire room throughout the film and added an extra bit of iconic “Brat” style that the record label is trying to force during the movie.
It also has some genuinely great comedy with Jamie Demetriou’s character, Tim Potts, and Isaac Cole Powell’s character, Lloyd Randall, catching and creating a lot of the jokes throughout the film. Charli XCX’s actions and attitude herself create funny moments amongst all the pain and suffering she is experiencing.
The cast list of A-listers really helped push the cluttered plot along, with Alexander Skarsgård’s infuriating villain character and Hailey Gates’s emotional performance as Celeste that wraps you into her character's story.
Charli XCX has been made into a main pop girl following the success of her album, but she is unsure if she wants to keep it going or move on to something new. The record label, headed by Rosanna Arquette’s character, Tammy Pitman, wants to keep “Brat” going with a concert film and a product launch of a “Brat” credit card.
Charli XCX is against the credit card idea but goes along with the concert film, mostly under her and Celeste’s vision. That is, until Skarsgård's character, Johannes Godwin, a filmmaker, steps in and completely takes over creative control.
Both Charli XCX and Celeste are adamant in keeping their vision for the tour and not letting Johannes take over with the dramatic and childish taste that he creates in every one of his tour films. Charli XCX’s stress from both situations leads her to accept a vacation to Ibiza, despite the tour being less than two weeks away, and she asks Celeste to ensure that their vision remains for the tour.
However, Charli XCX flips again, launching the credit card advertisement that she was against on her social media to fulfill the costs for Johannes’ vision for the tour. Celeste is fired the next day, and Johannes completely takes over, which Charli XCX begrudgingly welcomes.
A crisis arises when it turns out Charli XCX falsely advertised the credit card deal and sent the company into bankruptcy. Charli XCX disappears for days following the incident, but she returns to rehearsals after her team thinks she’s dead and enters her home.
The conclusion is meant to give audiences an understanding of Charli XCX’s actions throughout the film, when she apologizes to Celeste and tells her that she had grown tired of “Brat” and wanted to kill it off with the horrible concert film and cancellation from the credit card failure. The idea would work if the character had any reliability or if the film showed that in any way, but it didn’t.
Charli XCX’s commitment to posting the credit card deal and funding Johannes’s concert film was a rash decision, following a lengthy argument with her management and friends. The claim that it was a masterminded killing of the era doesn’t work, given the context of how things came to be.
Unfortunately, the film gets lost in itself at times, and its conclusion, while creating an understanding of Charli XCX’s actions, doesn’t work because it does not explain what happened in the film. Its strong cast and comedic moments help this film and can be frequently consumed despite its flaws, of which it carries many.
Rating: 2.5/5
