Tale of Tales – Film Review by Emily Elphinstone

Director: Matteo Garrone
Writers: Giambattista Basile (book), Edoardo Albinati (screenplay)
Stars: Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, Toby Jones

Fairytales in modern culture are more associated with Disney than The Brothers Grimm, but many of the original, darker tales still exist if you’re brave enough to dive into them. Now some of these grotesque stories, drawn from the 17th century Neopolitan folk tales compiled by poet Giambattista Basile (often described as the godfather of fairytales) are brought to life. The man to do it is director Matteo Garrone (best known for mafia drama Gomorrah) in his first English language feature, who makes the most of the film’s gothic atmosphere with a focus on the spectacle.

Built as a triptych of three interconnected fables, ‘Tale of Tales’ explores the neighbouring kingdoms of Longtrellis, Strongcliff, and Highhills; and the tribulations of their rulers. They might have fine clothes and grand castles, but as with any good fairytale, things don’t always go according to plan: In Longtrellis, the queen (Salma Hayek) is so desperate for a child that she follows the advice of a mysterious stranger, despite the risks; in Strongcliff Vincent Cassel’s lecherous King scours his kingdom for the owner of an angelic voice he heard; and in Highhills the weak-willed King (Toby Jones) is unwilling to marry off his daughter.

With a creative team including cinematographer Peter Suschitzky and production designer Dimitri Capuani, the film is visually stunning; giving the sense that a pre-raphaelite painting has been brought to life complete with misty landscapes and dramatic imagery. Refreshingly there is little sense of CGI, with the whole world seemingly brought to life; though it seems a shame that the old crones are very clearly younger performers unconvincingly layered with prosthetics.

There’s something unnerving about fairytales without neatly wrapped up conclusions full of moral lessons, but ‘Tale of Tales’ does just that. This may leave a slightly unsatisfactory aftertaste, but there’s a sense that the characters could just be carrying on out of sight. Like dreams which never quite make sense upon waking, ‘Tale of Tales’ should be experienced, not rationalised. It is a world where the Queen might devour the heart of a sea monster (in one of the film’s most visually stunning scenes), and a pet flea might grow to the size of a hippo. At first it may be hard to know what to think of the whole thing, but the film will continue to engage the mind long after the credits role. Emerging from the cinema you’ll wonder if you really did see John C. Reilly wading into the sea complete with sword and diving helmet, or Vincent Cassel sucking a finger through a door. Better watch it again to double check.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ETi804w-E