“Behemoth!” Review: Pedro Pascal Delivers a Powerful Performance as a Classical Cellist Confronting a Midlife Crisis in Tony Gilroy's Sophisticated Music Drama
Tony Gilroy's latest cinematic offering, "Behemoth!", presents a compelling narrative centered around Alex Serian, a classical cellist masterfully brought to life by Pedro Pascal. The film is celebrated for its deep dive into the nuanced world of classical music, a realm often misrepresented on screen, and for Pascal's remarkable commitment to authenticity, including learning to play the cello. This drama expertly explores the complexities of a musician facing a significant personal and professional crossroads, navigating the demanding landscapes of orchestras and movie score recordings.
Gilroy, known for his meticulous storytelling, particularly in his work on the "Star Wars" series "Andor," infuses "Behemoth!" with a playful yet profound sensibility. The narrative skillfully employs a meta-cinematic device where the film's score ingeniously incorporates the very music Alex is shown recording, blurring the lines between narrative and reality. This innovative approach, backed by the contributions of nine renowned film composers, adds layers of artistic depth and intellectual intrigue to the viewing experience. The film not only captures the demanding environment of professional musicianship but also subtly comments on the creative process itself.
The director's dedication to realism extends beyond the musical performances, delving into Alex Serian's intricate personal life. Raised in a high-powered musical family, Alex, a former child prodigy, grapples with the pressures and eccentricities that come with such a background. His journey is marked by a series of fleeting romantic entanglements and a sense of drifting, indicating a deeper search for meaning. The film's non-linear chronology, while sometimes challenging, serves to highlight the fragmented nature of Alex's existence and his ongoing struggle with self-discovery.
A pivotal aspect of the movie is Alex's interactions with various characters, each revealing different facets of his personality and past. Olivia Wilde portrays Carol, a patron's wife whose intense admiration for Alex hints at his complicated romantic history. Later, his encounter with Nadia, a talented violinist played by Eva Victor, introduces further romantic and emotional complexity. The film also features Will Arnett as Alex's brother, whose portrayal of a podcast host offers insights into Alex's troubled family dynamics and his guarded emotional landscape.
As the story progresses, Alex's journey takes him back to Los Angeles, his childhood home, where he continues his session work. A new obsession arises with Viviana, a young avant-pop artist whose music captures his attention. The revelation of Viviana's connection to Nadia adds an unexpected twist, suggesting a deeper, perhaps subconscious, motivation behind Alex's actions. This subplot underscores the film's exploration of fate, connection, and the unresolved aspects of one's past.
The film culminates in a sequence of expertly orchestrated suspense, where Alex infiltrates Nadia's mansion, seeking something of profound personal significance. This scene, underscored by evocative "movie music," encapsulates the film's blend of drama and mystery. "Behemoth!" ultimately transcends its initial classification as a mere midlife crisis story or a classical musician's tale. It stands as a testament to Tony Gilroy's directorial vision, his ability to craft a narrative that, much like his earlier work on "Michael Clayton," elevates our understanding of human emotions and the intricate world we inhabit.
