Don't Worry Darling: Catastrophe or Unqualified Success?

Don't Worry Darling

Long after the songs have stopped playing and the show has finished, only then do we get to decide if Don't Worry Darling was a catastrophe or an unqualified success. Was it too ambitious, did it go about telling its story in the wrong way, did it tell the wrong story? In this article, I'll be doing my best to give my answers to those questions, as well as some commentary on other aspects of the play as well. If you liked Don't Worry Darling or hated it, please read on!

Critique of the Movie

For what it’s worth, I enjoyed Don’t Worry, Darling. But that doesn’t mean that it is a perfect movie. There are some elements in the film that bothered me, and others that left me feeling cold. More importantly though, this film is about three girls who were looking for something to do with their lives-not a love story- so the music played an important role. Some of the songs used in the movie weren’t my favorites (I can do without listening to The Sound of Silence again) but there were a few songs that surprised me. 

The inclusion of Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen was unexpected but delightful! And Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World, sung by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, became one of my favorite songs from the movie. Overall, don't worry darling isn't a catastrophe or an unqualified success. It's not a movie that will change your life, but it does have a little something for everyone.

Positives and Negatives

+Negatives- Don't Worry Darling can be confusing, disjointed, and hard to follow. It also suffers from numerous plot holes and a lack of character development. There are also issues with the camera work. 

+Positives- People who have not read the original book may enjoy this take on it because of the added drama and more dynamic plotline. The film is shot beautifully and really transports you into the story. It's perfect for those who just want to sit back and watch something without having to pay too much attention. 

+Don't Worry Darling has some surprisingly good performances that add dimension to the movie. My favorite was by Matt Smith as Alistair Littlefield. He was charming, hilarious, and downright adorable! I loved how he embodied the role and made me fall in love with him in only a few scenes. 

+I would give Don't Worry Darling 3 out of 5 stars! While it doesn’t compare to its predecessor (the novel), it isn’t exactly an unqualified success either. You need to see both sides before coming up with your own opinion!

Personal Experience

I saw Don't Worry Darling at a local theatre, with friends and some kind strangers. I remember sitting in the audience with so many people wondering if this film would be what we hoped for - only to get something even better. When I left the theatre and walked back out into the world it was like I had been blindfolded and now all of sudden I could see everything again, full of colour and life. That's when I knew this was something more than just a movie. It has the power to bring together an entire community of people who don't feel seen, who are afraid they don't have a voice or place in society anymore. It is one thing to try and make someone feel less alone through art but it is another thing entirely to not need words at all; Don't Worry Darling speaks volumes without saying anything at all.

Final Thoughts

While some reviewers viewed Don't Worry Darling as an unqualified success, others felt it was a catastrophe. It can be hard to figure out what this movie is about and what its intentions are, but in the end you'll either feel like the film captured your attention with its high points, brought your emotions to another level, provoked a discussion with someone close to you about life and its meaning. I think it's up to you to decide which side of this movie you're on. After watching Don't Worry Darling for a second time, I felt more intrigued by the characters and their motivations. What does music mean to us? How does art function for us in different ways at different times? These questions don't always have clear answers, so sometimes we need to make up our own explanations for them.