REVIEW: High Rise a clever movie showing it has lofty ambition

TOM Hiddleston is doing well these days. From the fame of small screen’s ‘The Night Manager’ to the global success of ‘Thor’ and ‘The Avengers’, he’s very much in demand. 

His latest movie though, is a radical departure from previous roles, so if you’re expecting to see him fight super heroes in ‘High Rise’, you’re in for a bit of shock. 

In fact, almost everything about this film is surprising, much like JG Ballard, the author of the book on which it’s based. 

Ballard’s books have been the foundation for other film adaptations such as ‘Empire of the Sun’, and the very strange ‘Crash’.  

‘High Rise’ is set in 1975, two miles west of London, where Dr Robert Laing moves into his new apartment seeking anonymity, only to find the building’s residents have no intention of leaving him alone. 

Resigned to the complex social dynamics unfolding around him, Laing bites the bullet and becomes neighbourly. 

As he struggles to establish his position, Laing’s good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the building. The lights go out and the lifts fail but the party goes on. 

People are the problem. Booze is the currency. Sex is the panacea. Only much later, as he sits on his balcony eating the architect’s dog, does Dr Laing finally feel at home.

The film is directed by relative newbie, Ben Wheatley, who does well in setting the ominous tone. 

The imposing apartment block, which in many ways is a central character in the story, captures the bleakness of 1970s Britain, through its grey concrete structure. 

The film is very much about class, something evident from the layout of the building, with poorer people living in the basement, the owner, Mr Royal, residing in the penthouse, and our star, Dr Laing, taking up occupancy somewhere in the middle.

It’s a clever movie, sometimes very dark, but entertaining nonetheless. Not really a multiplex date night film, more a go with your mate from SIPTU experience, that will have you taking to the streets in protest afterwards. We score it a worthy 3 out of 5 stars. 

Paul O’Rourke