AFTER THE HUNT- NYFF63 capsule review

After the Hunt- from Luca Guadagnino, the prolific director who brought us masterpiece award winning films (“Call Me By Your Name” and “I am Love”) - is a provocative drama featuring a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Chloe Sevigny and Michael Stuhlbarg. Roberts portrays Alma Olson, a confident, ambitious Yale University philosophy professor whose comfortable, yet questionable personal life, and prestigious academic world are shaken to the core after her protege, Maggie (Edebiri) accuses Olson’s colleague and friend/sometime lover, Hank (Garfield) of sexual assault. The film centers on each character’s personal issues and histories and their responses, while navigating complex contemporary issues. Although in general it is commendable to explore multiple social issues, it became a bit problematic with the intersectionality of race and privilege.

“After the Hunt” is an example of an over-hyped film that under delivers. For the most part, the performances are searing and compelling, especially Ms. Roberts whose Alma   although pinned up and cold, is layered and somewhat interesting. The movie’s downfall has less to do with performances and off-putting nature of each character, than writing and editing. It is the actual script by first time screen writer, and Guadagnino, which is over-written, over ambitious and the film is under edited. “After the Hunt” is a two hour movie that feels more like three.

Director: Luca Guadagnino
Writer: Nora Garrett
Stars: Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield
Country: United States
Language: English
Production companies: Big Indie Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
MPAA rating: R
Runtime: 2h 19m