Unicorn Store

Image credit: IMDb

There is always something to be said about films that sparkle. Arguably, all movies provide a sparkle for someone, and when I use the word I mean that there is that shiny something that catches your eye and piques your curiosity. Brie Larson’s directorial debut was a real sparkler for me and, straight after seeing the teaser on Netflix, it was how I chose to while away some of my afternoon: with a bright colour palette, glitter, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Unicorn Store tells the story of Kit (Brie Larson), a whimsical artist who flunks out of art school, and then joins a team at a temp agency in the hope of turning her life around and not being seen as a failure. However, in order to fit in she stifles her true, vibrant self. That is until she receives an invitation to a store where she can achieve her lifelong dream of adopting a unicorn.

The sparkle of this film for me was Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson and a quirky, whimsical story. While all of these things were enjoyable, Unicorn Store is a pretty good example of ‘all that sparkles is not diamond’. The refreshing tone of the film, coupled with its weird and sweet story about growing up and clinging to childhood, makes it enjoyable, but ultimately nothing special.

Despite the extensive use of bright colours, neon, and glitter, the film suffers from a certain muteness, a dampening of the story and characters that, on the one hand frees the film from being an over-the-top, Kimmy Schmit type experience, but on the other hand subdues a lot of the emotional responses that could have flourished with a little bit more love. 

Image credit: Pinterest

The pairing of the weird and fantastical fantasy element with the down-to-earth, relatable, self-improvement comedy doesn’t quite hit the high notes and, while audiences can appreciate the metaphoric journey of self-discovery and transgressing from childhood to adulthood (emotionally, not physically) the film just doesn’t pique any real emotional responses or payoff because the mixture of beige and hot pink ends up being this dampened pastel colour that’s nice, but not particularly exciting to look at.

On a more positive note, the performances are all very solid and the story itself, its themes and messages, are lovely ones that everyone can identify with. As a directorial debut, Unicorn Store is a solid pass, but sadly its ambitious pairing of vibrant and beige just doesn’t blend.

Director: Brie Larson, 2017

Cast: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Joan Cusack, Bradley Whitford, Mamoudou Athie, Hamish Linklater, Annaleigh Ashford, Martha MacIsaac, and Nelson Franklin