Posion is a short film directed by Wes Anderson starring Dev Patel, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley.
It is the fourth in a series of adaptations of short stories written by Roald Dahl.
Wes Anderson demonstrates that, although it may seem strange, his style is valid for any genre. This time, a suspenseful story from 1950, when told with the director’s unique comedic style, takes the genre to another level.
Whether we like it or not, find it repetitive or not.
The plot is simple: a man calls a doctor because there is supposedly a snake. The doctor must poison it.
Review of “Poison”
Counting on the same actors as in the other three stories of this anthology series based on the short stories by Roald Dahl, this time around it is a suspenseful play that unfolds as if it were in a dollhouse, very compartmetalized.
“Poison” concludes these four stories which, visually and stylistically are coherence. All four have the same parameters and narrative formulations, the same comedic style that ultimately want to show us the narrative intricacies of the story rather than immerse us in the story itself.
Wes Anderson, a star director through and through, is aware of this condition and does not hesitate to showcase himself, knowing that the success of his films lies in his style rather than his stories, making it the true star of the show: style above a story (also in “Poison”) that is what primes in all four shorts in this little series.
Anderson, an excellent composer of framing and photography, once again plays with the discourse within the frame, tells us a parody, and both in essence and appearance, jokes within the frame and shows us, as if in an art exhibition, a canvas in each frame, a wonderful image in every shot.
Perhaps, speaking of painting and contemplating the canvas through time, this work that Anderson is building becomes repetitive in its stories, which ultimately don’t say much, but we can see the style evolve through color (this time created in more muted and subdued tones than in previous occasions).
“Poison” is an opportunity to contemplate Anderson’s stylistic evolution, which, if we observe it from “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” offers an evolution in itself within the four short films.
Our opinion
“Poison” is the cold culmination and the cold wink of a director who plays with telling that “something more” through the image and the evolution of color and framing.
A cold, dry ending to this series of films based on Road Dahl’s short stories, that once again demonstrates that Anderson is (or wants to be) beyond the stories he tells.
Director
Wesley Wales Anderson (born May 1, 1969) is an American filmmaker. His films are known for their symmetry, eccentricity and distinctive visual and narrative styles, and he is cited by some critics as a modern-day example of the auteur. Three of his films, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) appeared in BBC Culture’s 2016 poll of the greatest films since 2000. Read more
The Cast
Dev Patel, a British actor, has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. He has won a BAFTA Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics’ Choice Award. Additionally, he has been nominated for an Academy Award, another BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and three SAG Awards. Patel began his acting journey by making his screen debut as Anwar Kharral in the popular British television teen drama Skins from 2007 to 2008. Read more
Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, born on December 22, 1962, is an accomplished English actor, film producer, and director. He has been a dedicated ambassador for UNICEF UK since 1999. Fiennes initially gained recognition for his exceptional performances on stage at the Royal National Theater, where he showcased his talent as a Shakespearean actor. He made his debut in the film industry by portraying Heathcliff in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Read more
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch, born on July 19, 1976, is an accomplished English actor. He has made a name for himself on both the screen and stage, earning numerous accolades throughout his career. Some of his notable achievements include a Primetime Emmy Award, a British Academy Television Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award. Cumberbatch received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his performance in Frankenstein, and he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his portrayal of Sherlock. He has also garnered acclaim for his roles in the dramas The Imitation Game (2014) and The Power of the Dog (2021), which resulted in nominations for prestigious awards such as the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Golden Globe Award, all in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role. Additionally, his portrayal of the titular character in the miniseries Patrick Melrose earned him a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Read more
Ben Kingsley, born Krishna Bhanji on December 31, 1943, in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, is a highly acclaimed actor known for his remarkable performances on stage and screen. With his diverse range of roles and undeniable talent, Kingsley has become a household name in the entertainment industry. From his humble beginnings to his international fame, this article explores the life and career of Ben Kingsley, shedding light on his achievements, awards, and contributions to the world of acting. Read more
