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‘The Assessment’ Review: Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen Test Each Other in a Smart, Stripped Down Sci-Fi Parable About Parenting
Fleur Fortuné makes a compelling debut with Elizabeth Olsen as a prospective parent bidding for adoption, and Alicia Vikander as the headache state representative.
But removing that dystopian future could deprive Fortuné of such a convincing showcase for him as a clearly gifted visual stylist and the license for some knockout production design from Jan Houllevigue and a bold score from Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, both of which organically suggest how a world increasingly devoid of humanity has made it all the more important for those alive to leave an impression with handmade touches throughout. Nell Garfath Cox and Dave Thomas) and John Donnelly renders the extra coat of paint a bit unnecessary when allegory isn’t needed to relate to Aaryan and his partner Mia ( Elizabeth Olsen), as they subject themselves to an interview conducted by a representative from the state to determine their suitability for parenthood. “The Assessment” is smartly structured, with each day bringing a new challenge that makes Mia and Aaryan question themselves, including Virginia’s childish temper tantrums, assembling a Bucky Ball-like playhouse akin to many IKEA nightmares and a surprise dinner party they have to throw for assorted guests from their lives that they wouldn’t likely have invited themselves.
Or read this on Variety
