Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega Shine in Uneven Film ‘The Gallerist’
Cathy Yan ’s The Gallerist looks stylish and bold on the surface, but beneath the colorful visuals and strong performances, the movie struggles to deliver a truly engaging story. While Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega are highly entertaining together, the film itself feels more like a lecture than an emotional or thrilling experience. This is Yan’s first movie since Birds of Prey , and while her creative energy is still present, The Gallerist often feels confused about whether it wants to entertain or make a statement about modern art culture. A Stylish Setup With Dark Humor The film introduces us to Polina Polinski (Natalie Portman), a stressed art gallery owner on the verge of financial collapse. During a private viewing of new artwork by artist Stella Burgess (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), Polina’s assistant Kiki (Jenna Ortega) alerts her to a water leak near a large sculpture called The Emasculator . Things quickly spiral out of control when a rude art influencer insults the wo...