The Store

As always, Wiseman elevates seemingly mundane meetings to the driver of institutions, in this case a store in Dallas, Texas. We've all been in a store somewhat like this, yet Wiseman presents it as we have not seen it before. Every element of this institution (i.e. the people) doing what needs to be done to resolve the situation at hand and keep things running smoothly.

Wiseman's Romero-esque long, empty frames reveal his contempt for the milieu.

Wiseman brilliantly turns the supposed glamour of the flagship Neiman Marcus store into a desolate wasteland of exploitation, narcissism and obliviousness to the world outside it. I don't know if I'm more disgusted by the obscene prices talked about with complete casualness, the ugliness of these overpriced clothes, jewelry and housewares, or the almost cultlike behaviour of the employees. As good as I found it, I do think it does its job a bit too well because it gets really tedious at times.