LA’s superficial world of modeling is like a pouty Logan’s
Run. Irene signed just in time, with only one year of youthful eligibility left
before “aging out” of the business. Unfortunately, she will not be frolicking
in the stately pleasure dome. Instead, the novice model will be constantly exploited
in former America’s Next Top Model contestant
Marjorie Conrad’s Chemical Cut, which screened
during the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival.
Irene’s
life before modelling was pretty depressing. She worked in retail and spent
most her free time being demeaned by her toxic platonic pal, Arthur. One day,
she gets a platinum blonde dye job on a whim. Shortly thereafter, Jared, a
dodgy modeling agent slips her his card. Figuring she has nothing to lose, she
signs with the obnoxious predator. However, since Jared constantly books her
for “free tests,” Irene starts burning through her savings with no future income
in sight. Initially, it seems like a godsend when Spring, a more established,
better paid model takes Irene under her wing, but she also turns out to be a
real user.
Evidently,
modelling is a tough racket. If this is breaking news for you, than Chemical has even more disillusionments
coming down the pike. Of course, for most of us living in the grown-up world,
this is pretty standard stuff. It is all largely presented without humor,
allowing viewers little consolation as we witness the pathetic embarrassments
rained down upon poor Irene.
As
a result, Chemical Cut just isn’t
much fun. Conrad might be photogenic, but she is a bit of a shrinking violet on
the big screen. At least she is endurable, which is more than can be said for
Ian Coster, who is like fingernails on a blackboard as the screechy Arthur. Although
her character Spring is a real self-centered pill, only Leah Rudick seems
capable of sustaining a long-term relationship with the movie camera.