The Novice features a singular character that operates at an intensity level greater than most films would dare give us. A driven character who its hard to like. Someone who exists in a genre (sports) where we’re supposed to cheer the underdog. She’s inward driven and laser focused on being the best… not for others but for herself.
She’s the I in team.
The Novice is about a freshman on the rowing team of her university. She wants to be the best even when people tell her she’s got four years to get there. But she’s not here to help the team win their competitions, she’s here to be the best. Too bad she’s only second best… and that the other girls don’t understand, appreciate, or care for her drive.
This movie has moments – brief moments – where it opens up and operates like a normal movie. She’s a college girl and we get regular conversation, she goes on dates, and attends class. But so much more of this movie operates in this surreal, sometimes sublime world of blurred imagery, vaguely sync sounds, and occasionally beautiful melody. Most of the time we are in her head, experiencing what she’s feeling by way of the discordant sounds and veiled world around her. When she’s in the zone and everything fades.
I’ll repeat: our lead is not a likable person. In a regular sports movie, we’d be rooting for the underdog with soaring orchestras or rousing 80s music about eyes and tigers. But this movie doesn’t want to see the drive to be the best to be a stand-up-and-cheer spectacle. It’s honest with itself… this girl’s obsession feels wrong… but it doesn’t accuse or congratulate her for it. She just is. And she’s going to win, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard.
I really enjoyed this film. It very much snuck up on me and slapped me hard once I realized I was thoroughly engaged in her purpose. That I didn’t hate her but was mesmerized by her. And, more importantly, admiring the courage of the writer and director to give us this singular of a character. A purely self-driven, self-made, self-focused person.
Score: 87