Pixie

Pixie is a 2020 comedic thriller directed by Barnaby Thompson, written by Preston Thompson, and starring Olivia Cooke in the titular role. The film features an engaging ensemble cast which includes Fra Fee and Rory Fleck Byrne, along with prominent secondary characters portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Colm Meaney. The central plot of this off-centre, unpredictable movie unfurls against the backdrop of the picturesque yet often gritty and insular environment of the Irish countryside.

Pixie is an audacious adventure comedy-drama that uses the framework of a gangster film to tell its story in a unique way. It focuses on Pixie, a young woman living in Ireland who is determined to carve out a lifestyle away from the tightly-bound norms of society. Pixie's character, played masterfully by Olivia Cooke, is one who juggles her way through life with charismatic defiance and charm, compensating for being bundled up in the criminal machinations of her stepfather Dermot, portrayed excellpectly by Colm Meaney.

The film opens with Pixie enmeshed in a dangerous situation that possesses the right mix of chaos, comedy and tragedy. The trigger focuses around a bagful of narcotics which Pixie schemes to sell in order to finance her dream of moving to San Francisco. However, things don't go smoothly and, in the ensuing confusion, the storyline evolves into an unexpected journey as Pixie winds up on the run across Ireland.

Along the way, she bumps into hapless gentle souls, Frank and Harland, performed brilliantly by Ben Hardy and Daryl McCormack respectively. Both characters get caught in Pixie's situation, clueless yet compelled to navigate the costly price of Pixie's dreams in an underworld where misplaced trust swiftly equates to a losing hand. The fantastic on-screen relationship sparks, burns, and smolders as they hitch along for an unexpectedly wild ride across Ireland, outrunning gun-toting priests, gangsters, and everything in between.

Alec Baldwin magnificently portrays Father Hector McGrath, an ambiguous priest who seems equally comfortable offering up scripture and firing off a round from a gun. His adept characterization of a man whose faith and criminal nature are seemingly intertwined is one of the film's most thought-provoking elements.

Cinematographer John de Borman works marvelously to showcase the wonderfully raw and beautiful Irish countryside, adding an atmospheric touch to the film. Each scene is shot with a well-measured blend of cinematic beauty and narrative functionality. The movie's score, managed by David Holmes, sets the perfect tone and rhythm that flawlessly aligns with every plot twist and character arc.

The film's script, penned by Preston Thompson, intertwines genres seamlessly, effortlessly combining elements of dark humor, albiet seen through a lens of violence and consequences. Every interaction in the movie combusts with a unique blend of tension, unexpected humor and peculiar charm. The quotable dialogue is sharp, exhilarating, and imbued with Thompson’s distinct blend of wit and intensity.

Stylistically, Pixie shares a lot in common with the '90s trend of the British crime caper - flashy, snappy, and witty, but with a depth of heart. The dark humor of the movie is well-balanced, preventing it from ever becoming too grim or tone-deaf. At the same time, Pixie is a deeply self-aware film, aware of the its own irregular vein of humor, and using this knowledge to surprise and entertain its audience.

At its core, Pixie is a film that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat and tries to keep pace with the relentless mischief of its namesake. Olivia Cooke adds layers of vulnerability and defiance to her character, creating a mix of likability and unpredictability, much like the movie itself. The experienced cast, clever plot twists, witty dialogue, and stunning visuals all contribute towards making the movie an unexpected, captivating journey.

The film may be a crime adventure filled with thrilling twists and turns, but it is also a story about fighting for dreams and aspirations in an unforgiving world. Above all else, however, Pixie is a compellingly fun ride through the Irish countryside with a band of misfits, exploring the rough edges and grey areas of moral compasses. You will be hooked from the first scene, laughing one moment, on the edge of your seat the next, and thoroughly invested in Pixie’s journey till the end. It's a superb film that demonstrates how comedy, drama, and action can be combined to create an immersive and enjoyable cinematic experience.