Bones and All Review
Bones and all is a deadly, bloody yet deeply romantic coming of age film.
Bones and All is directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) and based on Camille DeAngelis’s 2015 novel which was made into a script by David Kajganich.
The film follows, Maren Yearly (Taylor Russell), an awkward and endearing teenager finishing up high-school. Initially, she appears to be an ordinary girl, excited by the prospects of making new friends but hindered by her seemingly overbearing father (Andre Holland). This first impression doesn't last long, she sneaks out to attend a slumber party and tries to devour her friend's finger, revealing herself as an “eater,” someone born with uncontrollable cannibal urges.
After the sleepover incident, Maren is soon abandoned by her father. Alone, she attempts to make her way across America in the 80s in the hopes of finding her mother. On her journey, she runs into the pink haired and mysterious (Timothée Chalamet), together they enter in a Bonnie & Clyde-estque relationship as they work their way across the country to find Maren's mother. The duo battle with the morality of being an 'eater' and unite over their troubled upbringing, finding solace in their shared trauma. Russel and Chalamet give incredible and sincere performances, managing to capture a soft melancholy romance amidst very dark circumstances.
The film is not only motivated and propelled forward by terrifying scenes in which Maren and Lee come across other eaters but is also fuelled by teen angst and the transformation of two young people navigating a new relationship. This creates an unlikely parallel between the anxiety of being a teen in love, with the anxiety of being around a murderous cannibal. Even in the most tender of scenes, you find yourself wondering whether either character is ever truly safe in the others company.
Visually, the film is stunning. A true tribute to a vintage American countryside. Guadgnino captures soft, sweeping landscapes in pastel hues in beautiful wide shots. Even with its beauty, it is difficult to find comfort while watching the film. Guadgnino builds tension throughout the film and rarely lets it dissipate. Fans who are just coming for Chalamet in hopes of a Call me by your name type movie are in for a shock.
