Personal Shopper (2016)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Personal Shopper (2016) – O. Assayas

Olivier Assayas won the Best Director award at Cannes for this ghost story, starring Kristen Stewart as a young woman waiting for a sign from the afterworld from her twin brother who has just died of a heart attack. It is very creepy at times, as Stewart spends several nights alone in the dark in a (presumably) haunted house.  By day, she is a “personal shopper” for a narcissistic actress who basically ignores her and her alienation is increased by the fact that her boyfriend is away in the Kingdom of Oman doing a months-long cybersecurity job (they can only skype).  When Stewart starts getting mysterious text messages from an anonymous stranger, she starts to wonder whether it is the sign from her brother.  But everything feels much more sinister.  As in his other highly recommended films (Irma Vep, 1996; Summer Hours, 2008; Clouds of Sils Maria, 2014), Assayas isn’t really interested in the plot; instead, he seeks to portray humans with real depth in situations (particularly social interactions) that elicit human needs and emotions – or in this case, he seems to be suggesting that it is the failure to have real satisfying social interactions that leaves Stewart haunted.  Another reading of the film might focus on her grief and the way it infuses her life, leading her to ruminate and lose her sense of direction.  In any case, it is a strong performance from Stewart.  And, in the end, Assayas is happy to have it both ways, adding a (more commercial) supernatural “thriller” to his oeuvre while also keeping the film consistent with his quiet interest in human relationships and social connectedness.