If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned, all-American fun, then you’ve come to the right place. Rob Pattinson has brought his signature saucy humor to the big screen in High Life, and if you know how to navigate the menu on Netflix, you can binge-watch the whole thing in one night.
Set in a modern-day Southern town, High Life explores life through the lens of the internet age. The story follows a 20-something named Cutter (Pattinson), who after a traumatic childhood experience finds himself unable to form real connections with people. Cut off from social media, he moves to a small Southern town where he reconnects with his roots.
What makes this movie special is that it takes a look at how the modern-day world has changed the way we interact. We see characters using social media to connect with each other, meet new people, and even find love. But the plot thickens when we learn that most of these connections are fabricated and not real. The world of online dating has blurred the line between what’s real and what’s not, and it’s forced us to question what it means to be genuine and honest in a world full of fake friends and lovers.
Netflix To The Rescue
The streamer has been the savior of movie lovers everywhere, liberating them from the sometimes frustrating task of choosing what to watch. With thousands of available titles, finding something new to enjoy has become a lot less daunting. Better yet, Netflix allows viewers to discover content they wouldn’t normally get the chance to see, and gives them the power to become fully engaged in the story. It’s fair to say that Netflix has changed the way we watch movies, and High Life is a testament to that progress.
A Whole Different Kind of Comedy
For those unfamiliar, Pattinson broke out of the comedy shy-boy mold with his role in Waterlands, which also spawned the successful Night Life. He took a back seat to Christian Slater in 9 1/2 Weeks, but ultimately landed the lead in its sequel. Since then, he’s maintained a steady stream of successful projects, whether it’s been in a leading role or supporting, like in this year’s The Gentlemen.
Pattinson’s sensual yet vulnerable presence makes for an excellent screen presence, and he brings that same charm and charisma to bear in High Life. The result is a whole different spin on the traditional romantic comedy, with plenty of funny scenes and interesting characters. It doesn’t hurt that it also features an excellent performance from Slater, either.
A Celebration of Southern Culture
For a small town in Southern America, New Bern doesn’t seem like a particularly big place. The town square is barely a few blocks long, and it feels more like a time capsule than anything else. There’s a grandness to the way things were, back when Newbern was a bustling hub of activity. Today, it’s more of a town full of yes-men and -women who blindly obey the rules. The film captures that small-town feeling and atmosphere perfectly, and it’s a joy to watch.
The cinematography is an excellent fit for the small town setting, with a soft yet rich glow engulfing the entire town. The way the sun sets in front of the mountains and the way the street lamps illuminate the sleepy main street provide a natural contrast to the warmth of the setting. It’s a beautiful film, and something to celebrate. If you’re a fan of classic Americana, you might find this film worth a look.
An Unexpected Masterpiece
When the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, it received mostly positive reviews. A few critics panned it, but for the most part, audiences seemed to enjoy its fresh take on an age-old story. It currently has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on that feedback, it’s fair to say that High Life is an unexpected masterpiece.
What makes the movie so special is its depiction of a small town and its people. The cast and crew seem to have gotten a sense of pride for their town, which is evident from the many authentic-looking interior and exterior shots. That sense of pride comes from both the small-town characters and the filmmakers, who have said they based the film on their own experiences growing up in the South. That type of authenticity gives the overall impression that you’re not watching a film but experiencing a scene from real life.
Where Do I Sign Up?
High Life is now available to stream on Netflix. If you’ve been looking for something new to watch, then this is the perfect opportunity. It’s only 12 minutes long, so you can fit it in anywhere in your entertainment routine. Plus, with Netflix’s endless expansion, there’s always new content to discover.