Brie Larson has truly graduated into the class of Hollywood A-listers in recent years, with the 29-year-old becoming one of the most coveted dramatic actors. Larson’s career has come a long way from the comedic roles in which she cut her teeth, with her Oscar-winning performance in 2015’s Room a defining moment that showed the world how she can thrive in serious roles. Although her directorial debut Unicorn Store fell short of expectations, there is no doubt Larson is in a rich run of cinematic form.
Colorful but disappointing
Unicorn Store saw Larson adapt a Samantha McIntyre screenplay to produce a comedy with surreal elements, with Larson also taking on the lead role. Originally released in 2017, Netflix picked up the distribution rights earlier this year, perhaps hoping to capitalize on Larson’s growing popularity. However, critical responses to Unicorn Store have been mixed. Ratings of 5.5/10 on IMDb and 64% on Rotten Tomatoes reflect that Unicorn Store is not for everyone. While aspects of Larson’s directing have been commended, Unicorn Store’s twee appearance has proven divisive.
For viewers who are not fans of cutesy or surreal elements in movies, Unicorn Store is unlikely to change any minds. Although the glitter and unicorns may not prove whimsical to some viewers, there are others who will be more appreciative of the surreal and multi-colored themes in Larson’s movie. These themes are fashionable in some areas of popular culture at the moment. The Starburst slot from Betway casino uses vibrant colors and sparkling diamond symbols to create the same whimsical vibe as Unicorn Store. Similarly, Unicorn Store feels like it lives in the same universe as the Candy Crush Saga, with bright colors and magical elements engaging players for hours.
Completely committing to surreal themes is important if they are to pay off. This is why the cartoon series Adventure Time has been such an unmitigated success, with The Guardian calling it the most inventive cartoon of recent years. Its bizarre plots and characters may seem odd on paper, but they fit right into the magical world created on screen. This is perhaps where Unicorn Store falls down, as it never quite finds a way to make the most of these fantastical elements. This has caused some critics to suggest that Larson is perhaps better suited to more serious roles, although her comedic grounding from earlier in her career should not be forgotten.
A marvelous role
Larson would certainly not have been cast in the titular role of Captain Marvel if there were concerns about her ability to balance comedy with drama. Captain Marvel was a landmark movie in many ways, with the 21st addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe being a long overdue first film to feature a woman in the lead role. Films in the MCU deftly switch between moments of levity and moments of severe consequence, but Larson’s likability in the role allowed her to make those transition effortlessly.
Newsarama reported that Captain Marvel will ultimately generate $1.130 billion from box offices worldwide, while its opening weekend is the seventh most profitable in cinema history. That kind of prestige will make Larson a star for life. The one potential negative to this is that Larson will become predominantly known for her role in the MCU, which looks set to be a role that dominates the next decade of her career. However, Larson appears resolved to balance her blockbuster work with a range of other projects.
Keeping things serious
Her gripping portrayal of a mother’s struggle in Room deservedly brought her the Academy Award for Best Actress. In a conversation with the Daily Telegraph, the interviewer noted how Larson was still under the radar and largely able to avoid the scrutiny of the media spotlight. Room was a landmark moment for Larson, a clear demonstration that this once-comedic actor could carry films of a very serious nature. In 2020, Larson will star in Just Mercy alongside Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, which follows the case of a man imprisoned for murder as he seeks to find justice.
Hollywood Reporter details that Larson is slated to play the lead role in an upcoming television adaptation of Amaryllis Fox’s memoir, Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA. The source material’s unique perspective on a young woman’s career in the CIA looks perfect for Larson’s acting talents. Obtaining both the show and Larson promises to be a real coup for Apple, bringing the Hollywood star back to television in an extended role for the first time since United States of Tara. That comedy drama ended in 2011, but Larson returns to television with a significantly elevated status.
The career of Larson in the next decade promises to be one of Hollywood’s most intriguing. Watching how she balances the pressures of being one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s main stars, while still starring in grittier roles in serious movies, will be fascinating. Unicorn Store may be Larson’s first real misstep in recent years, but there were enough positive signs to suggest she has a future behind the camera. For now, Larson will not be short of work in front of the camera.
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