As cliche as it seems, finding true love is painful.
How do you search for love? Is it swiping through apps? (which I don’t recommend) Is it seeking out a matchmaker? Is it taking a chance and not searching, but having fate it will happen naturally. In “Fingernails,” it all comes down to a scientific test. And the test is quick, but it’s not painless.
Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) have taken this test a year before, and they’ve found out they’re in love. This test was made years ago by a group of scientists who believed that a relationship between two people was destined if those two truly loved each other. This was measured through the removal of one fingernail from each person. This becomes the standard test for all couples in “Fingernails.”
The test intrigues Anna to the point she accepts a job working at a facility where the test is conducted, but also assisting with a program that puts couples through a series of short tests to prepare. There she meets her supervisor Amir (Riz Ahmed) and things become a bit complicated as Anna soon finds herself developing certain feelings for Amir. But will the thing that brings them together tear them apart?
“Fingernails” asks the question can love truly be quantified. Film director Christos Nikou takes inspiration from his debut
“Apples” to hone in on the science fiction aspect of the plot. In both films, he creates a world like our own, but then there’s a twist that makes everything seem unreal. “Fingernails” excels blending both fantasy and drama. In this world, fingernails are a symbol of sacrificing everything for love. It’s a principle that is not comprehensible in our own society. As the story unfolds through, we soon realize that sacrifice is about more than giving up a fingernail.
“Fingernails” has a magnificent star studded cast. It’s no surprise as Apple TV+ often casts noteworthy actors to lead their productions. Buckley embodies Anna with a demeanor you’d expect from a timid woman who is hiding a secret. She truly makes the film Anna’s story as her words aren’t the only thing we get revelations from, but her actions and expressions. This year was definitely the year of Jeremy Allen White from “The Bear” to now “Fingernails”, and later this year “The Iron Claw.” White and Buckley wouldn’t seem like a couple, but are amazing in this film. They embody a couple who feel secure in their relationship, but there’s no excitement or spark. That spark essentially transfers to the relationships between Amir and Anna. My eyes always darted towards Ahmed during the film. The seasoned actor makes his presence known when he appears on screen. Amir is a bit reserved, but when Ahmed allows the character to have some form of vulnerability, we see a side to him that elevates the entire story and the relationship between Amir and Anna.
Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Amir (Riz Ahmed)
The cinematography is simple, yet breathtaking. The visuals come off as bleak, but palpable. So much so, they were the most authentic part of the narrative. From the intimate close-up between the characters or the muted city lights in certain scenes at night, each frame is crafted to convey the characters’ emotional states flawlessly. The methodical pacing often boards on slow sometimes, but overall is necessary in comprehending the story especially in regards to Anna’s feelings. Tension is built overtime with each emotional layer peeled back as the relationship between Anna and the two men in her life are explored. The story remained interesting due to the narrative’s structure, and the eagerness in awaiting the subsequent insights and emotional high points.
By the end of the film, Anna is battered both physically and mentally as she pulls out her fingernails to get the results she wants. She soon learns that the choice is hers. The ending isn’t quite satisfying, in fact, it feels quite rushed and unfinished. However, I learned to appreciate that some endings don’t have to conclude the story, but leave us with a message. In the end, fingernails grow back, but most relationships never recover from damage.
“Fingernails” stream November 3 on Apple TV+
