'Kajillionaire' Review
R: Some sexual references/language
Runtime: 1 Hr and 42 Minutes
Production Companies: Plan B Entertainment, Annapurna Pictures
Distributor: Focus Features
Director: Miranda July
Writers: Miranda July
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger, Gina Rodriguez, Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Release Date: September 25, 2020
Con artists Theresa and Robert have spent 26 years training their only daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), to swindle, scam, and steal at every opportunity. During a desperate, hastily conceived heist, they charm a kind stranger, Melanie (Gina Rodriguez), into joining their next scheme, completely shaking up Old Dolio’s routine. Her unlikely connection with Melanie begins to challenge Old Dolio’s odd and stoic reality — and she finds herself suddenly caught between the only family she has ever known and the prospect of total freedom.
Out of all the movies that played at this year’s Sundance, Miranda July’s Kajillionare is one of my personal favorites. I actually ended up getting teary-eyed throughout the latter half of the film. Upon rewatching it this month (since it releases this week), I found myself feeling the same exact way I did in January when I originally saw it. This is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the year.
The story is a character study of a woman named Old Dolio Dynes who navigates through a life of grifting with her con-artist parents, Theresa and Robert, in LA. As the first 10 minutes display the family’s dynamic, you immediately get the sense that Old Dolio is treated as the runt of the litter. Theresa and Robert Dynes are the absolute scum of the earth as they live in an abandoned office space next to a bubble factory — where the bubbles from next door seep through their walls on the regular — and purposefully fail to pay their low rent ($500 a month). They’re so addicted to the con artist lifestyle, trying to achieve the American dream by swindling everyone, YET THEY STILL REFUSE TO PAY THEIR RENT. Unfortunately, due to Old Dolio’s upbringing, she’s mentally confined to her toxic parents and doesn’t question her routine. They take advantage of her, gaslighting her into oblivion, and she’s either unaware of it or shoves all of those unspoken feelings down. That is until her parents meet a confident, quick-witted woman named Melanie (Rodriguez) during one of their heists and they instantly recruit her, providing her with the love and affection that Old Dolio never received. She then starts to question her worth and explores the true definition of family.
For such a small-scale story, July constructs a quirky world that brilliantly matches its light yet absurdist tone. The dynamic between her dry-witted but vibrant characters is often hysterical despite the tragic portrait of family toxicity. Its upbeat/off-beat nature is well balanced and never feels as if it sacrifices any integrity for the sake of humor. An aura of wholesomeness surrounds each scene, allowing the audience to emotionally resonate with Old Dolio, who is the heart and soul of the story. The more time you spend with the Dynes family, the more you empathize with Dolio as you notice the psychological effects of living the way she does. As absurd as it is, it’s all pretty relatable, especially for people who grew up with a problematic family. July relentlessly aims for your tears through her tender screenplay and fantastic imagery. There are so many beautiful, heartfelt scenes that align you with this sweet-natured character and you wish nothing but happiness for her.
Evan Rachel Wood delivers a mesmerizing, captivating lead performance that stands as one of my favorites from a leading actress this year thus far. I didn’t even realize it was Evan Rachel Wood, especially with that deep tomboy tone and long, uncombed hair. I kid you not, it felt like she was doing an Ed (of Ed, Edd, and Eddy) impersonation because she embodies that same tall, lanky figure while wearing a green bomber jacket. All of Dolio’s manic movements, awkward tics, and heartbreaking moments of longing affected me directly and rocked me to my core. She’s absolutely exceptional.
Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins are great as Dolio’s conniving parents. Despite being detestable, they’re just so damn funny. Gina Rodriguez is fantastic as Melanie as she brings this energetic liveliness to a person who is meant to create a rift between Old Dolio and her family. Her relationship with Old Dolio evolves as the film progresses, and Rodriguez’s performance only gets more powerful.
Kajillionare is a beautiful, well-told story with incredible performances wrapped in a warm blanket. It’s a tender, timeless, character-driven story of self-identity and seeking happiness that explores family toxicity, told in a poignant manner that breaks your heart and then rebuilds it from the ground up. It remains one of the year’s best films to date. I just hope it doesn't take July another 10 years to leave her cave again for her next feature.
