Scarlet Moreno’s Velma is a beautiful and nostalgic film with a bit of a bite. Writer-director Moreno plays the titular Velma, bathed in the color and glamour of the 1960s. She’s a buxom young woman looking for love as she invites handsome young men to dinner, then bathes, and finally, the boudoir… only to wake up alone in the morning. The next day, this cycle repeats.

“…invites handsome young men to dinner, then bathes, and finally, the boudoir…”
Velma stands out for two reasons. First, it is set in the 1960s, and the filmmaker perfectly captures the tone. The set design has a bit of movie magic, firmly ensconcing you in that era’s psychedelic colors and patterns. Velma’s outfits are a knockout. My only nitpick is that I would have liked the film to have an aged feel rather than a very contemporary, sharp digital look.
Secondly, this is a thoughtful and insane story about love and finding love. During the sexual revolution, women wanted sexual freedom, while men wanted sex. Velma explores the lead character’s “sexuality, shame, and societal views of both.” Then, we are given a final act, which is killer. Moreno has much to say and accomplishes it with perfect execution in her film.
For more information about Velma, visit Scarlet Moreno’s official website.