"Rosebush Pruning": An Indulgent Film Dive into a Hedonistic, Dysfunctional Family Saga

Meet the Taylors, dubbed as mediocre, vapid egomaniacs by one of their own. They reside on the Catalonia coast, an area they chose not because of cultural significance or local charm, but due to a deep-rooted obsession with fashion, techno music, and Spanish architecture. This American family, headed by a widower (played by Tracy Letts) spared of work courtesy of a hefty inheritance, swims in the shallow waters of fashion and luxury, envisioning Bottega Veneta loafers in their dreams.

Six years ago, the Taylors packed their bags in New York and moved to Spain, drawn by their late matriarch’s admiration for Antonio Gaudí's architecture and their warped reverence for the locale as Cristóbal Balenciaga's birthplace - a fact they amusingly misplace on the map.

"Rosebush Pruning", penned by Efthimis Filippou, carries echoes of Marco Bellocchio's 1965 Fists in the Pocket-an Italian social critique that launched Bellocchio's fame. It also walks hand-in-hand with the quirky absurdity present in the Greek screenwriter’s contributions to 'The Lobster' and 'Dogtooth'.

The distinctive atmosphere, peculiar sexual energy and deliberate discomfort in "Rosebush Pruning" could make it a peculiar find for some viewers. Its most reoccurring themes - a dysfunctional family of four siblings with a sightless parent, a murder plot teetering on the cliff's edge, and an elder brother yearning for freedom - echo Balocchio's work.

Elle Fanning's character Martha, Jack's girlfriend, enters this bizarre web, subject to perverse questions and unwelcome assumptions about her accessories, outfit, and even her physical attributes. Despite the awkward welcome, Martha decides to stick around.

Ed, played with shallow sincerity by Callum Turner, tries to console Martha with an equally shallow tale about his pursuit of a coveted Comme des Garçons bag - a showdown he wins with an even better accessory from the Raf Simons collection. Martha, seeking an affluent lifestyle, expresses frustrations about having to beg for basic luxuries.

"Rosebush Pruning" doesn't sugarcoat its abrasive portrayal of its characters and its mockery of materialism and toxic family dynamics could leave some viewers with a sour aftertaste. However, it never loses its appeal with various intriguing sub-plots, including the Taylor family’s odd rituals and twisted perversions that get gradually revealed.

While Keough's Anna raises eyebrows with her flirty interactions, Gage's Robert leaves a mark with his enthusiastic advances towards Jack. Bell and Turner capture the dubious charms of Jack and Ed, adding to the affair's peculiar flavor.

Despite the beautifully shot sequences by cinematographer Hélène Louvart, the striking visual impact contrasted by Matthew Herbert's tantalizing score, and Bina Daigeler’s eye-catching costumes, "Rosebush Pruning" ultimately suffers from its lack of authentic human resonance. As the end credits reveal the outcomes of the Taylors' sinister plans, the film leaves the viewer with a bitterly acrid taste. Yet, there’s no denying it makes one heck of a stylish show.