I was hesitant going into Chloe Domont’s “Fair Play,” but let me tell you this film is a scorching fireball of gender politics, in the best of ways. It’s the best movie I’ve seen so far at Sundance 2023.
So, it’s not that surprising to hear that Netflix just bought “Fair Play” for an astounding $20 million. Is it worth that much money? I’m not sure. However, this is the kind of film that will have people talking, and a small theatrical release could also put it in the Swedes conversation.
Domont, making her feature directing debut after directing episodes of Billions, Suits, and Ballers, “Fair Play” stars Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor as Wall Street power who can’t get enough of each other, until a coveted promotion turns the gender powers around in their relationship.
This film is all about the exchanges between the lovers, as their relations begin to sour into sinister dynamics. The cutthroat Wall Street is portrayed by Domont in savage ways. What does masculinity mean exactly in a relationship if the woman makes more than the man?
Domont hides her cards until a crushingly awkward finale pulls the rug up from under the audience. Nearly every line has hidden, not to mention sinister, meaning here. You’re watching the crumbling of love and the emergence of ruthless opportunism.
Dynevor delivers a strong performance as the ambitious Emily, but shockingly, if it takes time to warm up to Ehrenreich’s presence, he manages to find an incredible vulnerability in his work here that might forgive his practically career-deadening work as Han Solo from just a few years ago.
In her explosive feature debut, Domont has made a film reminiscent of a ‘90s psychological thriller (that’s a good thing), unflinchingly pitting partners against each other in a world that is constantly changing the conformist gender roles we’re used to having.
Playing as part of this year’s weak U.S. Dramatic Competition, Domont’s film might win the big prize come next weekend.