Watch Burning Palms

Burning Palms, released in 2010, is a dark comedy-drama film that follows five different stories set in Los Angeles. The film explores the limits of human behavior and the dark side of human nature. It features an all-star cast, including Jamie Chung, Rosamund Pike, Dylan McDermott, and Paz Vega, amongst others. Each of these actors delivers stellar performances in their respective roles, making for a brilliant ensemble film.

The film is divided into five separate and distinct vignettes, each one intertwined with the others. The first segment is titled "The Green-Eyed Monster," and it follows Dedra (Jamie Chung) and her obsession with a rich couple's infant child. Dedra lives with her boyfriend, Dennis (Robert Hoffman), who also happens to be the baby's father. The couple's neighbors, played by Rosamund Pike and Nick Stahl, are stuck in the middle of the situation, and things take a dark and twisted turn.

The second segment, "Little Deaths," follows a young woman named Ginny (Emily Meade), who moves to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. When her roommate, Chloe (Annalynne McCord), starts to outshine her in auditions, Ginny becomes increasingly jealous. The tension between the roommates reaches a boiling point when Chloe brings home her boyfriend, played by Grant Bowler.

The third segment is titled "Kangaroo Court." It revolves around a group of teenagers who play a game where they judge each other's actions and then vote on a punishment. The game takes a dark turn when one of the players, played by Austin Williams, is accused of being gay.

The fourth segment, "Palm Springs Getaway," follows the lives of a wealthy couple, played by Dylan McDermott and Zoe Saldana, who take a vacation in Palm Springs. Things take an unexpected turn when they come across a stranded woman, played by Lake Bell, who convinces them to give her a ride. Their lives will never be the same after this encounter.

The final segment, titled "ManEater," is about a Spanish-speaking housekeeper, played by Paz Vega, who is having an affair with her employer's husband, played by Nick Stahl. When the wife, played by Rosamund Pike, finds out about the affair, she takes matters into her own hands.

Each of the stories in Burning Palms is unique, but they are all connected by the theme of the dark underbelly of human behavior. The film's writer and director, Christopher B. Landon, does an excellent job of exploring the different shades of human nature and the lengths people will go to get what they want. The stories are intense, but they are also full of humor and wit.

The performances in Burning Palms are all top-notch. Jamie Chung delivers one of the best performances of her career. She portrays Dedra's obsession with the baby in a way that is both unsettling and captivating. Rosamund Pike is also excellent, playing two very different characters in the film with conviction and skill. Dylan McDermott is fantastic in his segment, showcasing his acting range.

The cinematography and production design of Burning Palms are also noteworthy. The film showcases the different sides of Los Angeles, from the wealthy neighborhoods to the seedier parts of the city. The production design captures the essence of each vignette, adding to the mood and atmosphere of the film.

Overall, Burning Palms is a must-see film for fans of dark comedies and drama. The film explores the darker side of humanity in a way that is both intense and thought-provoking. It features a talented cast and excellent filmmaking that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Burning Palms is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 33.