Unicorn Store

Unicorn Store, a charming and quirky 2017 film, is the directorial debut of the Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson. Larson also stars in the film alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Joan Cusack.

The film centers around Kit, portrayed by Larson, a 20-something dreamer with both feet in the clouds, trying to navigate the harsh realities of growing into adulthood. After she flunks out of art school, disillusioned and directionless, she ends up living with her parents, portrayed by Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford. Feeling despondent and out of sorts, she takes up an unfulfilling job in a public relations company. Kit is confronted with the chasm between her colorful, vibrant imagination and the drab monotony of so-called real life.

Amidst the mundane, she receives a mysterious invitation that would set her on an unexpected path, explicitly designed to rekindle her love of life. Samuel L. Jackson, starring as 'The Salesman', invites her to 'The Store' - a place as intriguing and whimsical as it sounds. It promises her the opportunity to achieve what she has dreamed of since childhood, the chance to own a unicorn. Through 'The Store' and its eccentric proprietor, Kit embarks on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Unicorn Store cleverly uses its title entity, the mythical and elusive unicorn, as a metaphor for one's deepest and most significant dreams. The unicorn is more than just a literal creature—it symbolizes ambition, impossible dreams, hope, individuality, the innocence of childhood, and the painful transition into adulthood. It depicts the struggle of letting go of childlike wonder and magic when society demands practicality and realism.

Brie Larson performs effectively as Kit, a woman grappling with the disconnect between her imaginative, exuberant spirit and the societal expectation of seriousness that comes with adulthood. Samuel L. Jackson, as The Salesman, lends an incredibly captivating, charismatic performance. His character, with rainbow-drenched suits and an eternal twinkle in his eye, is an enigmatic figure who assists Kit on her transformative journey while hiding mysteries of his own. Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford, as Kit's supportive yet subtly exasperated parents, serve as reminders of the daunting aspects of adulthood that Kit must eventually embrace.

Mamoudou Athie plays Virgil, a local hardware store worker who intersects paths with Kit as she embarks on her wacky mission. Virgil, though bemused at first, becomes infatuated with Kit's quirkiness, and their budding relationship serves as a subplot that adds depth to the human element of the story.

Larson's directorial style brilliantly captures the dual worlds the protagonist inhabits – the seemingly dull, grey tinged “real” world and the vibrant, technicolor world inside Kit’s mind. It also drives home the poignant message at the heart of the film: the need to reconcile one’s dreams and imagination with the demands of adult reality.

With its whimsy, humor, and heart, Unicorn Store can be classified as a modern-day fairy tale that adults might find themselves needing. Through the narrative, it explores themes of maturation, individuality, the importance of personal dreams, and the societal pressure of conformity – all encapsulated in an endearing and eccentric plotline that keeps the viewer engaged.

The film does not shy away from depicting the struggles of adulting and mental health issues, deftly addressing them in a non-heavy-handed way. Yet, at its core, it remains an uplifting, feel-good story, effortlessly threading the line between melancholic and heart-warming – much like adult life itself.

In conclusion, Unicorn Store serves as a touching reminder on the importance of retaining a child-like sense of wonder and magic in adult life and the significance of staying true to oneself in a world that insists on conformity. It is an enchanting film that viewers will fall in love with, resonating with everyone who's ever dreamed of something more, who's ever felt lost in the humdrum of adult routine, or who's ever yearned to maintain their unique spark in a world constantly seeking to dampen it.