Exhibition

Exhibition is a 2013 British drama film that delves into the intimate world of marriage and creative pursuit while intertwining the characters' work-life philosophy into a poignant narrative. This decidedly unconventional and contemplative film comes from the awarded director Joanna Hogg, who is known for her unique cinematic style and explorative storytelling.

The film pivots around two central characters, both artists, husband and wife, played by real-life visual artist Liam Gillick and former guitarist of the feminist punk rock group The Slits, Viv Albertine. The acclaimed actor Tom Hiddleston joins the cast in a supportive role, providing the narrative with a different dimension and perspective. Each character is lavishly furnished with layers of complexity, making them feel incredibly real and relatable, a hallmark of Hogg's directorial craft.

In Exhibition, Hogg once again presents her extraordinary ability to compact emotions into every frame. The film sees the older couple, Gillick and Albertine, living in a high-concept, modernist house in London, wrestling with the idea of selling it. The house in question is almost a character in itself; it consumes the couple's life, where the boundaries of work, life, and marriage blur. The entire narrative revolves around this house, showing how their dwelling influences them and becomes an inseparable part of their identity.

Albertine plays the role of a performance artist, D, who spends most of her time in the house, working and improvising on her art pieces, while her husband, H, an architect, portrayed by Gillick, has a public office in the city. The distinctively designed house serves as a living, breathing element, providing Albertine's D a singular and intriguing relationship with physical space. H, in contrast, remains more aloof to it. Tom Hiddleston’s character provides an interesting counterpoint to their lifestyle – he lives in an old-fashioned house, showcasing an alternative way of life, creating a metaphor about our connection with spaces.

The movie ruminates on the relationship between art, work, and lifestyle while dealing with themes of personal and professional tension. Hogg manages to paint a vivid picture of the commitment inherent in an artist's life, the compromises they have to make, and the inevitable bleed of art into one's personal life. The performances are captivatingly organic, and the story unfolds in an understated and gentle manner, inviting the audience to dive into the deep, emotional sea of the characters' world.

Viv Albertine, in her debut acting performance, delivers an incredibly profound portrayal of D. Her nuanced exploration of her character's insecurities, artistic struggle, and the intriguing relationship with the house she resides in, is riveting to watch. Liam Gillick, meanwhile, presents a controlled and fittingly distraught performance as the architect H. His portrayal of the reserved, conflicted artist struggling with the impending transition adds an intriguing texture to the narrative.

Tom Hiddleston, although appearing in the supportive capacity, further enriches the narrative and acts as a catalyst for the dynamics of the main characters. His characterization adds a certain contrast to their lives, showing the variety of creative existence.

The cinematography in Exhibition is purposeful, stunning, and oftentimes abstract. This is a film where one of the main dialogues is through spatial exploration, complemented by a persistent ambient soundtrack. Camera shots masterfully capture clean lines, box-like divisions, and the sleek modernist aesthetic of the house, enabling viewers to feel how all-encompassing the house is to D and H. The soundscape is immersive and plays a crucial role in setting the tone for this deeply philosophical film, instilling a lingering sense of unease.

One of the singular aspects of Exhibition is its homerian quality. It's a film that isn't solely plot-driven but acquires its momentum from intense character study and psychological exploration. Both haunting and captivating, tense, and unsettling, the film offers a unique portrayal of intellectual and romantic self-examination.

In summary, Exhibition is an exquisite representation of artistic struggle, the relationship between humans and their habitats, and the nuanced complexities of an artist's lifestyle. Director Joanna Hogg invites us into a deeply internal world where the line between architectural and psychological space is often blurred to perfect ambiguity. For anyone interested in a profoundly intimate and contemplatively paced film, Exhibition is a singular cinematic experience.