FANTASIA 2020: Pvt Chat
fantasiaBen Hozie's PVT Chat is an undeniably compelling and captivating drama with a strong underbelly of poignant themes, such as addiction and female empowerment, performed terrifically by Peter Vack and Julia Fox.
Shot with an intimate, handheld approach of extensive close-ups by the director/cinematographer, Hozie's film is constantly vibrant and immersive to behold. Echoing the fly on the wall relationship between Jack and Scarlett (Vack and Fox), the camera is often inescapable and intimate to the point of intimidation. Clearly, a conscious decision to mirror the connection between the two, the choice of aesthetic is a strong and immersive one that blurs the line between reality or fiction.
The screenplay by Hozie – in tangent with the performances – is nothing short of stunning. Granted, it is quite an on-the-nose implementation of themes of addiction and mental illness. Still, it is the subtlety of corruption and lust that is effortlessly evoked by Vack which transcends the material. His performance is brilliantly and beautifully depicted in its highest highs and woeful lows, yet surrounded by that false promise of lustful nature and obsession. It feels inevitable that nothing will quite work out for Jack, but Vack supplies such charismatic and chaotic energy, he convinces the audience that the success is round the corner.
Fox equally stuns with her screen presence and her ability to demand the screen in order to captivate itself on her, and her alone, with a strikingly provocative but deeply layered and poignant telling of empowerment. It is a performance that will easily be lost on most and lends its hand to Fox stans and Reddit forums with its honest and organic inclusion of simulated sex scenes. However, it is so much more than simplistic nudity. Below the surface, this is a performance that crafts brewing conversation on sex work and exploitation, both refreshing and undeniably compelling in its dialogue.
That being said, there are a few unnecessary sub-plots and characters that don't add much. Specifically, the great Buddy Duress, of whom feels lost and forced into proceedings regarding Vack's Jack. Keith Poulson equally feels slightly underwritten and flat in Fox's Scarlett arc. Granted, it is a far more prominent and more contextually influential to the overall film, but there is undoubtedly a broader topic to have in his character's relationship with Scarlett that the film could easily prosper from.
That being said, Ben Hozie's PVT Chat is an outstanding piece of independent cinema. A slick, stylish and provocative conversation on mental health and sex workers. PVT Chat is wrapped in an organic and authentic Safdie Brothers aesthetic, that not only highlights the talent of Peter Vack but cements the movie star quality of the fabulous Julia Fox.
