Werner Herzog's Venice Film Festival Drama 'Bucking Fastard' Criticized by Reviewers

Quick Brief
Werner Herzog's latest fiction feature, Bucking Fastard, premiered at the Venice Film Festival to negative reviews. The film stars real-life sisters Rooney and Kate Mara as interdependent siblings whose story is loosely inspired by real-life British twins. Critics have panned the movie as an aimless and silly drama that squanders its cast's talents.
What Happened?
Directed by Werner Herzog and premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Bucking Fastard is a fictional drama inspired by the real-life story of British twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, who notoriously spoke in unison and faced a 1980s court case for harassing a neighbor. The film relocates the setting to Ireland and stars Rooney and Kate Mara as sisters Jean and Joan Holbrook. The cast also features Orlando Bloom as a neighbor involved in a brief throuple with the women, and Domhnall Gleeson as a social worker attempting to help them.
Why It Matters
As a work by a distinct and acclaimed filmmaker like Werner Herzog, the film drew significant attention at the Venice Film Festival. However, early critical reception describes the project as a misfire that squanders the capabilities of its high-profile cast.
Key Facts
- Bucking Fastard premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
- The film is directed by Werner Herzog.
- It stars real-life sisters Rooney and Kate Mara as interdependent siblings.
- The story is inspired by real-life UK twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, known for speaking in unison.
- The cast also includes Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson.
- Critical reviews for the movie have been largely negative.
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