Direction: Chloe Domont
Country: USA
This erotic psychological thriller, directed by Chloe Dumont in her directorial feature debut, starts with a bang, has a tense middle part, but heavily stumbles in the final act. Written by the American director, Fair Play dissects a couple’s relationship that becomes toxic when Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) snags the coveted promotion that was expected to go to her colleague and secret fiancé, Luke (Alden Ehrenreich). Both of them work in a demanding Manhattan hedge fund led by Campbell (Eddie Marsan), the cold, insensitive, and sometimes ruthless CEO who treats them disparately. Seeing enormous potential in Emily, he completely snubs Luke.
The film delves into the limits of ambition, exploring psychological abuse and toxic masculinity within the backdrop of a gripping corporate setting. Although it can be a positive viewing experience for some, it grapples with several issues, particularly in the emotional department. The cynicism sometimes masks itself as profound revelation, and the storyline can feel somewhat familiar, eventually losing momentum in its final stretch. However, Dumont's timing remains sharp, and her portrayal of the tense corporate atmosphere is disturbingly convincing.
While the characters’ transgressions are intentional, cruel, and punishable, the story is sustained by the mechanics of rivalry, ambition, fragility, exclusion, and jealousy. Fair Play is a love story in much the same way that Kramer vs. Kramer is a comedy. It touches a nerve with topics such as abusive corporation treatment and sexual harassment. However, it falls short of realizing its full potential, with a conclusion that doesn't quite measure up to the rest of the narrative.
