Movie Breakdown: I Saw The TV Glow
Pre-Screening Stance:
Over the last few months I’ve heard a lot of great things about I Saw The TV Glow, so I’m heading into it with high expectations.
Post-Screening Ramble:
Here’s what I would like to tell you about I Saw The TV Glow – nothing! It’s very much one of those films that should be experienced without a single detail from it floating around in your head, but since I’m here to share my thoughts on the film, I’ll just try to keep it light. The story is centered around (and narrated by) Owen (Justice Smith), who you meet as a 7th grader (this brief version is played by Ian Foreman) and then follow over the course of some number of years. To be frank, Owen doesn’t really have a whole lot going for him. He’s a rather nervous, reserved person with a toxic home life, and the only semi-friend he has, Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), isn’t much better off. The pair, however, do have The Pink Opaque, a YA/supernatural show that allows them to escape from their not-so-great existences.
As someone who grew up watching 90s kid shows like Are You Afraid Of The Dark?, The Adventures Of Pete & Pete, and lots more, I loved everything about The Pink Opaque. The film is not only built around it in a very meta, mind melting way, but the presentation of this fictitious program looks and sounds and feels so much like one of those aforementioned shows that if I didn’t know any better, I’d think it actually aired at some point. TV nostalgia aside, what you also have here is a pair of noteworthy and transformative performances from Smith and Lundy-Paine, and an entirely empathetic message for anyone who has ever felt different and/or alone.
I Saw The TV Glow is a slow burn with a lot of layers, but if you’re willing to give it all your attention, you’ll find a great film. It’s in theaters as of today, May 10.
One Last Thought:
This film’s soundtrack is one of those finely curated indie ones that’s got a lot of nice tracks on it, and you should definitely give it a listen. On a music related side note, Fred Durst (yes, the one from Limp Bizkit) is super creepy in this!
