What happens when your album becomes more than a collection of songs? Inspired by rave culture, “Brat,” the 2024 Grammy-winning studio album by singer-songwriter Charli XCX, became a cultural phenomenon thanks to the “Brat Summer” movement, embraced by Gen Z, a celebration of hedonism, fashion, and sleaze. The record label wanted to keep the movement going (ka-ching), with perhaps a concert film. Charli XCX, instead, gave them a satire about the whole ridiculous mess, called “The Moment.” It’s flashy, trashy, and unabashedly… funny (or honest). Think “Spinal Tap” on meth.
A satirical take on the music industry writes itself. Here, Charli XCX is playing a fictionalized version of herself (how fictionalized only she knows), as she prepares for the 2024 Brat Arena Tour. There are meetings with Atlantic Records label exec Tammy Pitman (Rosanna Arquette), who listens to a bunch of talking heads, each claiming to have Charli’s best interests in mind. Pitman greenlights a concert film produced by Amazon Music documenting the Brat tour.
There’s a great scene where Jamie (Rish Shah), a member of Charli’s entourage, asks her to record radio IDs on a cell phone. ‘Hi, it’s Charli XCX. Are you having a Brat Summer?” she asks before sighing, finding the whole thing a bit cringe.
To keep the “Brat Summer” trend alive, the record label introduces a Brat credit card targeted specifically at Charli’s queer fans. The green card, a partnership with the struggling bank Howard Stirling, provides fans with a free concert ticket. Sure, it’s capitalism at its best, but it also raises the question, “Is this a sell-out move?” An Instagram post derails the promotion, serving as a clear example of an artist trying to stay true to their integrity while satisfying corporate interests.
Directed by Aidan Zamiri, who shot the Charli XCX videos “Guess” and “360,” as well as numerous videos by FKA Twigs and Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” the mockumentary is sharply edited (kudos to Bill Sneddon and Neal Farmer), featuring rapid jump cuts that bombard the viewer at a frantic pace. The strobes and music mimic the high energy of a rave. It illustrates how chaotic Charli’s life had become after her success.
There’s another scene in the mockumentary that calls to mind “Spinal Tap” when Johannes reveals a giant lighter that Charli is supposed to step out of, reminiscent of the plastic pod bassist Derek Smalls is meant to emerge from in Reiner’s film. Of course, it comes complete with a giant cigarette.
Cameos in the film include Rachel Sennott, playing herself and telling Charli she thought the Brat credit card was a joke, and Kylie Jenner, appearing as herself in a scene where Charli bumps into her in Ibiza.
“The Moment” could have used more Charli XCX performance scenes, and while it is a satire, Charli’s performance feels genuine. Most of what we see was fabricated, but all of it is plausible. Stardom comes with a price; we get it. It’s reassuring to see that Charli XCX has a great sense of humor and a sharp business mind. By poking fun at herself, she just extended the life of the Brat lifestyle. You got us.
(3 stars)
Now showing in theaters
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