Review: "Unicorn Store" is a Flawed Good Time

Scene from Unicorn Store

The world is cruel. In actor Brie Larson's directorial debut Unicorn Store, she explores the complicated relationship that one as to grow up while maintaining a youthful sense of wonder. The artwork for the film's marketing has been staggering, presenting Larson covered in a mirage of colors. It promises something twee and maybe too innocent. However, there's a certain assurance that Larson brings the project by the end, finding the heart in a woman who wants nothing more than to possess a unicorn. It may not be the most exciting story of an actor-turned-director, but as far as victory laps go for this Captain Marvel star, it's a halfway decent film that shows the potential of an artist capable of saying more about youth culture. The only issue is that there needs to be a better script next time.

Early on it seems like Unicorn is a story that audiences ingratiated with indie comedies will know well. It's this whimsical twee that has defined the genre going on 15 years and has rarely produced something compelling. As protagonist Kit (Larson) is seen painting a mural, of which she gets rejected, she has that optimism in her eyes. It is a look that would suggest a certain heartbreak for when the world finally tears her down. She has too much faith in the world, and it shows at the moment where she is forced to move back in with her parents. She takes a job via an employment agency and finds that she's a tad socially maladjusted. Still, she has a love of unicorns that overpowers everything she does and she becomes the model for a potential Manic Pixie Dream Girl, capable of turning the world on with her smile. She is a young opportunist and throws her arms at the world. Kit has dreams, and it feels like the set-up for something far more saccharine than what is given.

The film stumbles towards the eventual crux of the plot, which is Kit discovering a place known as a unicorn store. If she can build a home for a unicorn, she can finally own one. She has only dreamed of this moment since she was little. She wants it so badly that it overwhelms every other aspect of her life. She places her enthusiasm into a sales pitch at work where she inadvertently shoots glitter into a boardroom while promoting a "Vac Sack" and the idea of being more childlike. 

This would be fine, but the film never quite balances the tone of being both childlike and stuck in a cruel world. The story is essentially about a woman coming to terms with a deeper trauma in her life. It's something that plays out in the third act and captures an emotional weight that should be present. The truth is that the moment is so earnestly done and gives depth to the often goofy little girl fantasy that many have had. However, the rest of the film feels too conventional from a narrative perspective. Audiences have seen enthusiastic women take on the world for their own betterment. It's empowering in the correct ways, but without anything substantial to say. It's a journey that gets by too much on whimsy and only achieves a greater potential when it's allowed to dive into the more adult side of things. The intimate conversations about rough childhoods lead to a better understanding of Kit while there's little resonance in her youthful side. It's fun but too familiar at points.

To Larson's credit, she definitely services as a reminder of how great she can be in comedic roles. She is a bright spot in this film and makes it worth discovering, especially for fans of her recent run of films like Room and Captain Marvel. She has charisma and knows how to reel back in reluctance at just the right times. It's what keeps the film's twee attitude from feeling insufferable. The audience roots for her in part because it's hard to know if her dreams will actually be fulfilled. If they are, it stands to be too much. If they aren't, it becomes something far more tragic and unbearable. There's so much ingenuity in the potential that it's a shame how little of it is allowed to be explored. As much as Larson does well in directing the scenes with a style, the story fails to really develop something interesting about its premise.

The film is by no means as incompetent at the unfortunate backlash has suggested. Those discrediting Larson are missing out on a career that has continually featured women in interesting roles. Unicorn Store isn't quite on par with her other work, but it still manages to reflect an artist who may one day have the potential to make these offbeat films with a perfect balance of drama and heart. For those wanting a good film on Netflix, there's a lot worse that can be chosen (it's actually among their better non-award contenders). It does the trick and gets by on sheer charm. Those willing to go along with the childlike sense of wonder and the belief in a better world may get plenty out of this film's overall glee. Otherwise, it's a fine film that misses just enough marks to be a little underwhelming.