Brie Larson goes to the 'Unicorn Store' in her directorial debut (TIFF review)
Let me start by saying I love unicorns. They're adorable, nothing against them, it's all good! This film? Not so much.
Brie Larson is Kit, your typical millennial dealing with growing up. But unlike a typical character dealing with growing up, Kit goes can't let go of her childhood dreams.
While trying to grow up in a way, by getting a job, she also goes to a 'Unicorn Store' to get a real life unicorn. In this store Samuel L. Jackson — dressed like a typical unicorn salesman — tells Kit what she needs to do before she can get a unicorn. Kit goes along and makes all the preparations for her future unicorn.
Sounds ridiculous? That's because it basically is. I can go with many fantastical story lines I've seen over the years, but either a premise works for you or it doesn't.
Feel like watching a movie about a woman living her little girl fantasies and building a home for a unicorn in her parents' backyard? Fine, go ahead, I'm sure you'll be hugely entertained! Just skip this cynical review from a grumpy old guy not chasing his crazy childhood dreams that may actually come true — because unicorn are real you know, maybe...
Is it all bad then, you may ask. Not at all. Brie Larson actually got a fine cast together with herself, Samuel L. Jackson, Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford. And finally Hamish Linklater brings some genuine fun to the story as Kit's subtly harassing boss. That's just a small storyline that doesn't really go anywhere though, I'm sorry to say.
As I said, this is not about not loving unicorns. It's just about not loving a story about a girl going to a 'Unicorn Store' to get a unicorn.
'Unicorn Store' had its World Premiere at #TIFF17 and doesn't have a release date yet.
