Savage Grace Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Rich lady marries into plastics money, has a son, things get weird, and someone ends up with a really sharp object where it shouldn’t be.

🍿 Savage Grace: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Rise of Barbara

The film introduces Barbara Daly, a charismatic but mentally unstable woman, who marries Brooks Baekeland, heir to the Bakelite plastics fortune. Barbara aspires to climb the social ladder, seeing Brooks as her ticket to wealth and status. Their relationship quickly reveals cracks, marked by Barbara’s increasing dissatisfaction and Brooks’ emotional detachment.

A Dysfunctional Family

The Baekelands have one son, Antony (Tony), whose relationship with his mother becomes increasingly intense and unconventional. Tony struggles with his sexuality, and his father dismisses him as a failure. The film depicts the family’s nomadic lifestyle as they move between New York, Paris, and Spain, seeking a sense of belonging and fulfillment that remains elusive. The family dynamic deteriorates, marked by affairs and emotional neglect.

Descent into Tragedy

As Tony matures, his relationship with Barbara crosses boundaries, leading to an incestuous encounter. Tony’s mental state deteriorates, and he exhibits signs of schizophrenia. The film portrays Barbara’s attempts to ‘cure’ Tony of his homosexuality, revealing the extent of her obsession and control. The culmination of their twisted relationship leads to a shocking and tragic climax.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Barbara Daly Baekeland (Julianne Moore): A beautiful and charismatic but mentally unstable socialite who marries into wealth and develops an unhealthy obsession with her son.
• Antony Baekeland (Eddie Redmayne): The troubled and increasingly unstable son of Barbara and Brooks, struggling with his identity and sexuality, leading to a tragic end.
• Brooks Baekeland (Stephen Dillane): The cold and emotionally distant heir to the Bakelite plastics fortune, whose detachment contributes to his family’s dysfunction.
• Nini Daly (Anne Reid): Barbara’s mother, who observes the Baekelands’ unraveling with a mix of concern and helplessness.
• Blanca (Elena Anaya): A young woman who becomes entangled in the Baekelands’ complex relationships, causing further disruption.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Antony Baekeland: ““One of the uses of money is that it allows us not to live with the consequences of our mistakes.”” – Tony quoting his grandfather to show the family’s detached view on responsibility.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.6M
• Domestic Gross: $435,746
• Worldwide Gross: $1.43M

💥 Savage Grace Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie was intense! I went in expecting a dark drama, and I definitely got it. Julianne Moore is absolutely mesmerizing – her performance is chilling. The story is disturbing and complex. I found myself feeling uncomfortable but completely engrossed at the same time. Some scenes were hard to watch. But it’s a powerful story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Julianne Moore”
  • “Viewers interested in true crime stories”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Audiences who enjoy films exploring complex family relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Incest”
  • “Homosexuality”
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Male nudity”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suicide attempts”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb Critic: “Julianne Moore delivers a powerful performance, but the film struggles with a disjointed narrative and fails to fully explore the complexities of its characters. The film lacks depth, despite the bold premise.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Savage Grace is a well-acted, but ultimately, uninvolving melodrama. It’s hard to connect with the characters, and the pacing is slow

Audience Reactions

Moore’s performance captivates viewers despite the disturbing subject matter.: Most agree that Julianne Moore’s acting is the highlight. Although the storyline can be difficult to follow, the powerful performances keep the viewers engaged to the very end.

Overall Consensus: While praised for its acting, particularly Julianne Moore’s, Savage Grace is a divisive film due to its disturbing themes and slow pacing, resulting in a mixed reception.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Karl Lagerfeld designed one of Barbara’s gowns specifically for the film after learning Julianne Moore would star in it.”
• “The film is based on the book ‘Savage Grace’ by Natalie Robins and Steven M.L. Aronson, which details the Baekeland family tragedy.”
• “Director Tom Kalin is known for his work in New Queer Cinema and his interest in exploring complex and controversial subject matter.”

🖥️ How to Watch Savage Grace?

Savage Grace is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for streaming options as availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Savage Grace, you might like these similar films:

• Monster (2003): Explores a similarly disturbing true crime story with a complex, flawed female protagonist.
• The Cement Garden (1993): Deals with themes of incest and family dysfunction in a shocking and unsettling manner.
• Mommie Dearest (1981): Depicts a deeply troubled and abusive mother-child relationship, though with a campier tone.

🛒 Savage Grace Related Products

• Savage Grace [Blu-ray]: Own the film on Blu-ray and experience Julianne Moore’s brilliant performance in high definition. Includes special features such as interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and deleted scenes.
• Bakelite Bangles Vintage Style: Inspired by the Bakelite fortune in the film, collect these classic vintage-style Bakelite bangles that capture the glamour and fashion of the era.
• Natalie Robins & Steven M.L. Aronson Savage Grace: Read the book this film is based on! See all the real true details that even the movie failed to show!

🎧 Soundtrack

Savage Grace features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lullaby for Tony” – performed by Dawn Landes

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Julianne Moore on the big screen

Ever wonder what Julianne Moore thinks about her roles? She dives into ‘Savage Grace’ in this interview, and it’s fascinating to hear her perspective on the complex story. Definitely worth a watch!

‘Savage Grace’ | Critics’ Picks | The New York Times

Want to know if ‘Savage Grace’ is really worth your time? A.O. Scott from The New York Times breaks down the film in this review, and his insights are spot on. I found myself agreeing with a lot of his points, see if you do too!

✨ Rate