Fingernails: A Thought-Provoking Film about Love in a Post-Pandemic World
Fingernails opens in select theaters and premieres on Apple TV+ on November 3. This review is based on a screening at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival.
Christos Nikou, the Greek filmmaker behind the contemplative sci-fi film Apples, faced the challenge of releasing his feature debut during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Nikou returns with his sophomore film, Fingernails, which explores the complexities of love in a near-future reality where compatibility can be scientifically measured through a fingernail test. This film delves into the blurred lines between passion and love, while captivating audiences with its striking visuals and thought-provoking narrative.
The Concept of Fingernails
In the world of Fingernails, a compatibility test allows individuals to determine if their partner reciprocates their love. This test involves removing a fingernail from each partner and using a machine to measure the level of mutual affection. The results can range from 0% (no love shared), 100% (both partners in love), to a heart-wrenching 50% (uncertainty about one-sided love). This premise sets the stage for exploring the complexities and uncertainties of romantic relationships.
Anna’s Journey of Self-Discovery
The film follows Anna, a schoolteacher portrayed by Jessie Buckley, who achieves a perfect 100% result with her partner Ryan (Jeremy Allen White). However, Anna starts questioning the stability of their relationship and joins the institute administering the love test to gain a deeper understanding. As Anna partners with Amir (Riz Ahmed), a mentor who shares a mutual attraction, her doubts about her own love life grow stronger. This emotional journey challenges the notions of certainty and true connection in a world driven by scientific evaluations.
The Greek Weird Wave Aesthetic
Fingernails showcases the stylistic traits of the Greek Weird Wave, a captivating movement in Greek cinema known for its thought-provoking tales of modern alienation. Director Christos Nikou, known for his involvement in the catalyst film Dogtooth, embraces the detached and eerie atmosphere synonymous with this genre. This aesthetic accentuates the film’s core theme: the differentiation between passion and love. In a world where science certifies love as an unchanging and permanent emotion, the notion of passion fades away, leaving only a pursuit of emotional compatibility.
Buckley and Ahmed deliver remarkable performances, exhibiting restrained displays of joy that embody passion. Their on-screen chemistry carries an electric spark, complemented by tender glances and fleeting touches. In the portrayal of Anna’s journey, the film explores the timeless struggle between passion and certainty, capturing the essence of youthful love and the exhilaration it brings.
A Cinematic Balance of Precision and Passion
Nikou masterfully intertwines the enchanting qualities of falling in love with the unsettling nature of the love test in Fingernails. As the film progresses, the audience experiences the chilling sound of fingernails being removed, highlighting the emotional stakes involved. However, this discomforting ritual reinforces the notion that the pain is worth enduring for the possibility of a deeper connection.
The production design by Zazu Myers and art direction by Mathew Birtch create a world that blends futuristic elements with a retro aesthetic. This playful manipulation of time enhances Nikou’s portrayal of a reality that closely resembles our own. Fingernails serves as an ode to love that embraces the unpredictability and messiness inherent in human connections, rather than solely focusing on certainties.
Conclusion
Fingernails is a mesmerizing film that delves into the complexities of love and relationships in a post-pandemic world. Through its intriguing premise, captivating visuals, and thought-provoking narrative, the film prompts viewers to reflect on the balance between passion and certainty. Christos Nikou’s sophomore feature showcases his directorial finesse and solidifies his place in the realm of innovative storytelling.