The Childhood of a Leader review – fascist fable that lacks clarity

This accomplished directing debut by actor Brady Corbet is clearly the work of a film-maker already fluent in the language of cinema, even if he is not quite certain what he wants to say. The key elements of this fable about the early years of a fictitious fascist dictator (loosely based on Mussolini) are impressive. The cinematography by Lol Crawley uses natural light to arresting effect. The thunderous orchestral score by Scott Walker, used principally in an overture and a coda, is magnificent. It’s a blast of ominous portent into the film, which reminded me of Luca Guadagnino’s use of the music of John Adams in I Am Love. By contrast, the actual body of the story lacks some of the brutal clarity of the music. Still, it’s an impressive first film that marks Corbet as a talent to watch.