Fair Play (2023)

Fair Play 💵

Fair Play follows Luke and Emily, a young couple that are both trying to make it big at a hedge fund but when one gets a promotion over the other, their relationship gets put to the ultimate test. 

Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich deliver two of the most gripping performances of the year, grabbing your attention from the start and not letting go - even when the credits roll.

It’s a masterful exploration of the dynamics in an office romance. 

The story starts off as workplace and romance, but as they begin to bleed into one another you start to notice the fractures of a once budding relationship. 

We have Luke, who seems stuck trying to live up to the expectation of a man in Wall Street and Emily, who manages what it’s like being in a male dominated industry with sheer grit and determination - demanding respect with no remorse. 

The power dynamics of a relationship are on full display, as an insecure man most come to terms with playing second fiddle to his ambitious, hardworking partner - which quietly takes its toll on him.

What I adored most about this movie is how raw and honest the portrayals were. The performances used body language to perfection, showing the subtle signs of exhaustion from pent up frustration, and patterns of abuse that aren’t often seen until one gains hindsight. None of that can be achieved without the incredible performances by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich. 

There’s something so tragic about the cyclical nature of how this story unfolds. You can’t “unspill blood.” defines the entirety of this spiralling saga of heartbreak. 

Fair Play eclipsed so many movies I’ve watched this year, jumping straight into my Top 5 of 2023. It’s a sexy, daring, tornado of toxicity - in a story about a relentless pursuit for power, and love.

Enjoy! 

8.5/10 🍿 🎥 

Runtime: 1hr53mins

Where: Toronto International Film Festival & Streaming on Netflix October 6th

Fair Play Review (2023) The Richmond Reviewer

#MovieReview #Movie #Netflix #TIFF2023 #FairPlay