324. Last Night In Soho; movie review

 

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO

Cert 18

117 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence

A horror with originality and twists which keep its audience guessing right until its explosive finale.

Last Night In Soho's storyline is so off-beam that it requires keen concentration from its audience - especially in its early stages.

But perseverance definitely brings rewards in this tale of sleaze among London's bright lights.

Oh, and in my opinion, it has the best soundtrack of any movie in 2021. But, then again, I am a sucker for 60s music.

Edgar Wright's movie stars Thomasin McKenzie as Eloise - a shy fashion student who enthusiastically takes up a place at art college.

However, life isn't quite as she imagined it and so she soon looks for a place to live on her own away from the crowd.

She alights upon a shabby room in a house owned by a curmudgeonly old lady (the last performance of the wonderful Diana Rigg).

However, soon after she moves in, she begins to have visions of a 60s wannabe singer (Anya Taylor-Joy) who is trying to make it in Soho but falls into the hands of an unscrupulous manager (Matt Smith).

As the days progress, the more intense these visions become and, initially, she is able to embrace them. Her real problems begin when they become violent.

Terence Stamp's mystery character who continually turns up on street corners, glaring at Eloise, may be the key to unlocking what happened.

Meanwhile, Eloise is becoming more and more unhinged.

None of Wright's roster of favoured actors appear in Last Night In Soho but I am pleased to report that it is none the worse for it.

McKenzie presents a wonderful combination of excitement, naivety and then fear that she is losing her mind.

Taylor-Joy further enhances her reputation with a spicy secondary role.

But film fans will be especially keen to see Rigg's last role and how she plays a key part in the movie's denouement.

Oh, and let us not forget the superb recreation of 60s central London and did I mention that fantastic soundtrack?!

Reasons to watch: Diana Rigg's last film

Reasons to avoid: Lots of blood

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Soho was part of King Henry VIII’s hunting grounds and at the time was heavily wooded. Apparently the cry ‘So-Ho’ was exclaimed whenever a small prey was spotted in these woods and in turn gave Soho its name.

The final word. Edgar Wright: “The sad truth of it is that the story is a myriad. Back then, there was this feeling that this was how it worked, especially on the lowest rungs of the showbiz ladder.” Indie Wire

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