Celebrities – especially entertainment personalities – have an added pressure that mere mortals may not necessarily experience: that of remaining gorgeous, slim, and youthful.
Being in the limelight has its perks, and its downside, too. And, although taken for granted and very obvious, that is one of the things that the Cannes International Film Festival movie “The Substance” explores. The result is a mixture of shock, gore, excitement, mystery, and, at times, humor. Rarely does a motion picture call for our attention and bring out different emotions. For this reason alone, “The Substance” is a worthy watch. To those of us who know the main star, Demi Moore, from the romantic film “Ghost,” she’s still the glamorous Hollywood celeb we are familiar with. Without a doubt, Demi is the other reason to make time to see “The Substance.“
The story centers on the character of Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a sexy media personality who has made a name as an actress and as an exercise guru. On her 50th birthday, the network boss, played by Dennis Quaid, tells Elizabeth that she is being replaced with a younger, yet-to-be discovered star.
And so begins Elizabeth’s struggle to hold on to her youth, her job and the glory she has known. When she is offered to use a serum to create a youthful version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley), Elizabeth takes the chance. But the procedure is tedious and temporary. The younger version, now named Sue, emerges from the spine to explore the world, while the older Elizabeth lays unconscious and resting. After seven days, they switch back. Elizabeth then regains consciousness as the immobile Sue rests.
Sue eventually takes Elizabeth’s slot in the morning show. Complications arise when the two alter egos develop hate for each other and abuse the substance to their own advantage.
When the supplier of the substance insists to Elizabeth and Sue that they are one and the same, the voice might as well be addressing everyone.
This is when the film becomes more relatable. Most, if not all, have that vain side. This could be as subtle as coloring one’s hair to hide the gray strands, or as drastic as going for cosmetic surgery. Beauty is skin deep, but, admit it, no one wants to look ugly. Yet that is what happened to Elizabeth/Sue, in spite of their efforts.
So, should we embrace ageing rather than fight it every step of the way? “The Substance” by female director Coralie Fargeat seems to say that however you look, it won’t matter. Life, like beauty, is just as fleeting.