Joyce
- Jun 7, 2021
- 2 min read

Tyger Tyger Film Review

★★★

Directed and Written by: #KerryMondragan

Tyger Tyger is a puzzling work in the Americana style.

If there is one word to describe Tyger Tyger, that would be ‘stylish’. Its performances, its cinematography and its soundtrack are all about style and, to paraphrase the film itself, they are all about a certain ‘vibe’. As a piece of storytelling, the film doesn’t quite work, it is a cloud of vibe with no substantial plot or narrative, apart from it being set in a pandemic, which cruelly is no longer a particularly shocking plot starter, for obvious reasons. That being said, the other aspects in the film which work to build this vibe are quite well executed.

First of all, the characters and performances deserve attention. This film has a good cast playing characters whose personalities do come through. In particular, Sam Quartine plays Blake with remarkable depth and naturalism in a film where the pull seems to be in the opposite direction, an approach which illuminates the quality of her work. There is not much development of the relationships between the characters and what they mean. This is is part of the glaring narrative weakness of the film but it may enclose a message, one which is particularly relevant to youth: you cannot fully control how your relationships to others shape you or how you shape others. The reasons for a friendship or a romantic relationship may not be completely discernible. They are made (and may be as easily undone) by context and circumstances. Each member of the audience may take this aspect of the film as they will.

The film does showcase great cinematography, and a filming technique reminiscent of the road film genre- the style and editing fits the aforementioned ‘vibe’. There are wonderful scenes immersed in the American dessert, and wide shots of sunsets which reflect colours that are a natural staple of the region. There is even a road side argument scene which is so cliche that it is actually good. It also must be said that the sound design adds to the vibe and also the rhythm of the film (the noise of cars, of their footsteps on the dry dessert soil are really heard).

Tyger Tyger is a psychedelic, convoluted, almost plot- less film that is otherwise well done. There is clearly an ambition that has not yet been fulfilled but which the director could well achieve if he works towards it. For a bit of escapism and visual dynamism, Tyger Tyger is an option.