Pomp & Circumstance

There is something infectious about watching a film with tangible enthusiasm from the filmmaker. When the director was clearly grinning from ear to ear behind the camera, it is hard as a viewer to resist a huge smile of your own. But while Pomp & Circumstance is certainly a pleasure to watch, its cozy demeanor conceals multitudes of depth.

Picture a twee interpretation of one of Godard’s less narrative, more political works. The film is told through quirky vignettes that coalesce into a satirical portrait of modern American academia, pointing out the flaws and strengths of both the professors and their students. Pomp & Circumstance is not your average indie debut, but it wants you to know that it is clever and has much to say. 

The characters are the people you know or at least have heard of. The cast is filled to the brim with self-conscious students who wrestle with what their futures after graduating will be and their equally self-conscious professors who wrestle with the fact that this might not be what they planned their futures to be. But while the usual film dealing with these archetypes would overly rely on coming-of-age clichés and sentimentality, writers Patrick Gray and Adrian Anderson choose instead to place these characters in quirky, slightly absurd, and ultimately hilarious scenarios. 

This unique execution is strengthened by the commitment of the actors, who are well aware of what archetype they are parodying and thus properly sell the humor. The film’s comedy is simultaneously visual and intellectual, so understanding every joke requires proper investment in the cerebral dialogue that is just as academic and laden with metaphors as the world this film takes place in. It is evident that the actors are having as much of a blast as the filmmakers are, and they extract every last bit of comedy contained in the quirky rants and exaggerated rants they are given. Pseudointellectual protesters clash with regular students and a shockingly important Elvis impersonator. 

Above all, the highlight of the film is its stylistic charm. I adore the works of Godard, which this is certainly reminiscent of, and the way it utilizes Brechtian techniques to emphasize its dense messaging without an overload of pathos is commendable. There is an identifiable charm to every individual vignette that makes them equally funny on their own but a complete knockout once stitched together. Satire is a difficult genre to master, but the slightness of the film actually works to its advantage; you are never hit on the head with the satire or overwhelmed by its timeliness but are instead casually introduced to these ideas and characters. It is wonderful to see that there is a modern film that derives humor from intellectual stimulation and academic puns, but it is even more inspiring to see one that plays with format in such a singular way. 

The slightness of the film is largely an advantage, but it does come across as too cozy at points. The student film feel is intentional, but while it shines as a parody of students making these kinds of films, there are moments where this vibe somewhat falls flat. One of the film’s biggest strengths is a double-edged sword: the intelligence of the humor is uniquely its own and cannot be replicated, but the filmmakers’ emphasis on the cleverness of the writing can occasionally feel self-congratulatory. Make no mistake, the filmmakers are quite smart, but it results in a viewing experience that is a touch too dense. I was definitely laughing but I was never able to know if I completely understood every aspect of each joke. Though the premise would not make this evident, Pomp & Circumstance is a film that demands a rewatch in order to properly sink one’s teeth into each nuance. 

Truth be told, my problems with the film may be intentional choices by the filmmakers. It is evident that the filmmakers have fine-tuned their style on their first outing, which is a feat within itself. The fact that they have such a grasp on their own style that they can poke fun at it in their debut is deeply impressive. Ultimately, Pomp & Circumstance is one of the boldest, most signature debut films I have seen in quite some time, and the joy the writers, directors, and actors had while making it is transmitted directly to the audience.

7.5/10