Joshua Oppenheimer's The End, his first fiction feature, is an ambitious post-apocalyptic musical set in a luxury bunker post-societal collapse. Despite its stunning production design and timely exploration of wealth and privilege, the film suffers from a bloated two-and-a-half-hour runtime that dilutes its initial impact. The performances, particularly from Michael Shannon and Tilda Swinton, align with the film's surreal environment, but the musical format complicates the emotional resonance. Oppenheimer's choice to explore poignant themes through song is intriguing but leaves audiences yearning for greater narrative coherence and engagement as the film unfolds.
An ambitious post-apocalyptic musical, The End offers an impressive production design and timely themes but suffers from an excessive running time and an uneven tonal experience.
Oppenheimer's approach of using the musical genre to reveal the guilt and privilege of the ultra-wealthy adds depth, but the execution leaves audiences yearning for coherence and engagement.
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