Saturday, July 20, 2024
Love Lies Bleeding
This is a noir crime thriller with shades of the Incredible She-Hulk meets Attack of Fifty Foot Woman. It’s 1989 in some small desert town where gym manager “Lou” (Kristen Stewart) meets & falls in love with a bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian), who is on her way to a bodybuilder contest in Las Vegas. This love story features love at first sight, lesbian lovers, & a love triangle. Lou is estranged from her father Lou Sr (Ed Harris), loves her sister Beth (Jenna Malone), & hates her brother-in-law JJ (Dave Franco). As we follow the trail of dead bodies, the story will involve the FBI, a couple of cleanup/coverup situations, a spousal abuser, a steroids abuser, some blackmail/coercion attempts, & some psychosis/hallucinations. There also something shady going on in this little town. The film does take some quirky metaphoric visual liberties to shock eyes of audiences. I liked this bizarre film but it’s likely not for everyone’s tastes. I️ was curious about the meaning of the title. “Love Lies Bleeding” is the name of a South American plant with crimson flowers & historically associated with forlorned & hopeless love.
Alien gives it 3 “the power of love” stars out of 4.
