What does it take to keep ‘the moment’ alive?
The Moment is a mockumentary following the weeks leading up to Charli XCX’s accompanying tour for her studio album BRAT. In our world, the album’s promotional cycle was a global sensation. From the internet trend of having a ‘Brat Summer’ to its Grammy-winning status, Charli’s musical career definitely paid off.
This film however imagines an alternate reality where Charli succumbs to the pressures of stardom in exchange for a safer commercial route. A simple premise that offers an insightful commentary on the “authentic” and “manufactured” in pop music terms.
Director Aidan Zamiri and Charli herself are concerned in exploring the ugly truths of the industry, even if it’s through a satirical and humorous manner. She has been making music for a very long time and has been successful enough doing it. However, reaching such kind of success can feel overwhelming for anyone. It may bring out a destructive side to one’s self if you are unable to navigate those new levels of fame.
It is risky on Charli’s part to play a version of herself that is this messy and unlikeable. The film very much hinges on her screen presence. I found Charli’s acting to genuinely be very good here. She nails the comedic timing to the film’s satirical moments along with portraying her imposter syndrome and humiliation. It is a very demanding role from her as an actor whose film, while using fictional accounts, actively confronts autobiographical elements of self-hatred. I thought it was impressive that she decided to display such vulnerability. Zamiri nor Charli are trying to sell the audience some sort of delusion.
The Moment also leans into an exploration of industry expectations. The main vehicle for this, and arguably the comedic highlight of the film, is the character of Johannes. Played by Alexander Skarsgard, he is the out-of-touch tour director who is brought in by the label to direct a concert film for Charli. Johannes has a clashing personality and directing style. He attempts to pitch a sanitised family-friendly aesthetic for the documentary, despite her songs containing explicit lyrics and themes. Thematically, Johannes is a living amalgamation for an eerie corporate direction. Charli is obviously in conflict with needing industry connections to partner with her, but at the cost of giving up creative control. How artists sustain themselves in an ecosystem that simply wants them to create more of the same is a revealing concern here. Again, I feel that it is bold from Zamiri and Charli to mock the system that they actively participate in.
I do think The Moment requires a basic awareness of Charli XCX as an artist in order for the film to really work. It is very much of the person and in the know of pop culture and music stardom. In doing so, it produces a lot of great inside humour that had me giggling from start to finish. This is elevated by the mockumentary conventions; from reaction shots and zoom-ins to every clueless character turning into the camera. It was genuinely funny to me as a member of the target audience.
There are also celebrity cameos and cast members that may be rather niche to general audiences. From Rachel Sennott, Jamie Demetriou, to even Alexander Skarsgard who is the biggest name in the call sheet, are highly narrow in their appeal within the wider familiarity of celebrities. The film’s appeal is mainly catered to those in the zeitgeist of chronically online pop music listeners who understand the cultural place that Charli XCX inhabits. Yet, it remained smart and entertaining all the way through.
I really liked that this is what Charli decided to do to conclude the entire BRAT album experience. It is a lot more accomplished than even a long-time fan like me was expecting. It makes you wonder if Charli believes this snapshot of her life, where her established stardom skyrockets into global status overnight, is her defining ‘moment’.
A turning point in her career? For sure. But is this as good as it gets?
None of us know. Not even Charli.
But whether BRAT is Charli’s final ‘moment’ of fame, or the first of many, she is certainly embracing it all.
