SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2024 REVIEW! Transpose the style of Thoroughbreds into the aristocratic world of Ready Or Not, and one gets a good sense of the vibe of Veni Vidi Vici. Written by Daniel Hoesl, who co-directs with Julia Niemann, the film is a dark satire about wealth, privilege, politics, and familial bonds. Do the filmmakers bite off more than they can chew, or do they meet their ambitions with verve?
The Maynards have more money than God. The multi-billionaires use their considerable resources to influence politicians and take-over companies. They also have a non-profit nature reserve. Amon (Laurence Rupp) is the patriarch and would never harm an animal. However, the fitness nut has fewer scruples about snuffing out random people via a sniper rifle. Whenever this happens, servant Alfred (Markus Schleinzer) is at the ready to clean up and dispose of the body and any other resulting mess. Amon’s wife, Viktoria (Ursina Lardi), is an ambitious lawyer. The loving couple is trying for a baby, which has complications.
Meanwhile, Paula (Olivia Goschler), Amon’s oldest daughter (whose mother died at birth), is acting out as teens do. She and her friends steal from stores to see if they can get away with it. Paula clearly has a lot of her dad in her, for good and ill. Amon and Viktoria adopted two daughters, one black and the other Asian, to signify how progressive they are. Although to be fair, Amon loves his children and plays with them often.
“…multi-billionaires use their considerable resources to influence politicians…”
Yes, a lot is going on in Veni Vidi Vici, which is Latin for “I came. I saw. I conquered.” There are two main throughlines, though. The first is the ongoing investigation into who the sniper is. While the cops seem apathetic, it is because it is not much of a secret that it’s Amon. While he carves consequences, the law knows that due to the power and influence he has, arresting him would be futile. This frustrates journalist Volker (Dominik Warta), who demands justice. The other plot sees the Maynards take over a company from Amon’s mentor, much to the older man’s dread. None of this mentions Henry’s constant speeding, the gamekeeper who may or may not have witnessed Amon killing someone, or even the Minister of Justice.
Don’t let the overabundance of plots deter you from checking this out. Hoesl and Niemann easily navigate the audience through each turn, detour, twist, and happening. When the gamekeeper shows up at the Maynard household during a birthday party, the family overwhelms him with options of things to do and kindness. With just a few lines, the Maynards show their intentions, as does the gamekeeper. The filmmakers also maintain a consistent, slightly detached tone throughout. The casual way the cops don’t look into the sniper killings is morbidly amusing. Paula’s desperation to be like her father offers a few solid punchlines.
Of course, if the actors don’t convey the proper comedic timing and a sense of too-cool-to-care, Veni Vidi Vici would fall apart. Luckily, everyone is very committed and delivers the right tone. Rupp portrays Amon’s desire to be held accountable as a deeply rooted need, which greatly adds to the humor. Lardi’s calm demeanor hides an oddly sweet side. There’s a real delight when Viktoria announces to the rest of the family that she’s (finally) pregnant. Goschler is brilliant as the determined, almost evil teen. Her last scene is stunningly acted, but no spoilers.
Veni Vidi Vici is doing a lot, but the filmmakers make it all work. Their strict control of the comedy hits the perfect dark tone. The cast is tons of fun, while the writing is a sharp takedown of politics and power in modern-day Austria.
Veni Vidi Vici screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
"…sharp..."
