Kajillionaire
A family of scammers, with Dad Richard, mum Theresa and daughter Old Dolio – live day to day, trying to think up the next scam to make a dollar.
A ‘lost luggage’ plan by Old Dolio finds them meeting the free spirited Melanie – who wants to join their schemes, much to the delight of Richard and Theresa who seem to adore her.
When relationship lines are crossed, Old Dolio finds something she has never had before; someone who genuinely cares for her, as her parents have only ever seen her as a ‘third’ and never as a daughter.
Direction
Miranda July directs here, and this is my first time coming across her work. I quite enjoyed the subtlety of her shots, to the natural look and feel to it.
There is also some impressive work in the start of the third act where there is an impressive long take in a gas station (that reportedly took 17 takes!).
Cast/Characters
Evan Rachel Wood plays the almost androgynous Old Dolio, who has been emotionally stunted her entire life. She is simply flawless, taking on a completely different speaking voice – almost masculine at times. She gives almost neurodivergent vibes, as Old Dolio dresses in a track suit, never wears any make up or does anything with her hair.
The post ‘big one’ long take, and her dance off are spectacular, and should have been awarded more attention.
Richard Jenkins and a completely unrecognisable Debra Winger play Richard and Theresa – two people who only think about getting things for either free, or stealing them unethically. While Jenkins is great, it is Winger who plays the almost antagonistic mother, refusing to show any affection to her daughter. At times she even shows glee at giving Melanie compliments, while dismissing Old Dolio.
Gina Rodriguez is a delight as the free spirited, and almost polar opposite of Old Dolio, dressing provocatively, with full make up. She shows genuine care to Old Dolio at times, and their friendship sparks genuinely into more as the film progresses.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The film is really a coming of age story for Old Dolio, who slowly learns about love and how it begins right from birth. He discovery about just how much her parents resented having her is heartbreaking – but also a relief for her as she meets Melanie.
Even at time it feels Melanie has a loveless relationship with her own mother, which is likely why she relates to Old Dolio so much. This is later on shown to be incorrect as her mother calls her out of worry following an earthquake.
Earthquakes are also a central theme, and ongoing threat that occurs throughout. The characters fear ‘The Big One’ – a known future occurrence that will happen one day soon. As the ‘big one’ does occur (according to Old Dolio anyway) – this is the start of her really coming into her own as a person – and not as an appendage of her parents.
Overall
With wonderful performances by the four main cast, this was a delightful film to watch.
Wood gives a truly nuanced performance, and her character arc is both heartbreaking in her emotional and maturity awakening, losing part of her identity and gaining more than she thought was deserving of.
I really enjoyed this, and think it is a high recommendation.
4.5/5