Animosity emerges when Joaquin Phoenix, the sheriff of a beyond-Podunk little town, decides he’ll run for mayor, a position currently held by Pablo Pascal. Egos soar; sparks fly. Adding little to the keeping of peace is the fact that all this takes place in 2020, just as the Coronavirus is digging in.

The director is Ari Aster, who has previously made Hereditary and

Midsommar. He was well on his way to becoming my least-admired filmmaker, until the recent Beau Is Afraid (also starring Phoenix) came along to seal the deal. Absolute pretentious, incomprehensible, neurotic drivel. Of course, it could be that this is above my meager movie-appreciating powers, but maybe not.

That said, this is the director’s – odd use of the word – funniest movie to date, though the humor is very, very dark. Plenty of wry comic payoffs and sight gags. 

Let’s talk about the construction. The first two of two and a half hours consist of amusing, low-level oddness. Until the totally gonzo last 30 minutes kicks in and knocks your friggin’ socks off. We’re left with a bleakly amusing look at today’s America and its penchant for violent fantasy. 

I have to give Aster credit for his uncompromising determination to make the film he wanted to make. That it isn’t my cup of tea is beside the point. Bottom line, he succeeded in soliciting a strong reaction and a grudging admiration from me, something not all films are able – or bother – to do. (120 min)