All throughout Apple’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, the notion of “watching” is felt for the entire season. We are entering the inside world of OnlyFans as Elle Fanning’s new mom discovers a new career path. Her father, played by Nick Offerman, is a former professional wrestler whose fans continue to watch clips of his greatest moments online. Margo’s mother is aware of the gaze of those who might judge her, and Fanning’s character begins to understand that all sorts of eyes are on her body (and her mothering style) with each passing day. Cinematographer Tari Segal embraced the colorful, reflective edges of Margo’s freshman season while giving us unprecedented access to her headspace to keep us grounded.
Segal shot half of the episodes of Margot’s Got Money Troubles, and we immediately feel her guidance in what we are observing when it comes to Margo’s emotional well-being. Our gaze on the action allows us to feel like we are more than just a casual observer even as Fanning’s character finds newer complications at every turn.
One of the season’s highlights comes in episode five when Margot accompanies her mother, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Shyanne, to her wedding in Las Vegas, and we get a fresh look in a different city. In one scene Margo and Shyanne argue outside of a bar as twinkling lights surround them. Vegas is full of reflective surfaces and shimmering bulbs, and Segal captures what Shyanne probably hopes she is looking for whenever she galavants off to Vegas for one of the happiest days of her life. It’s worth noting that the casino where they shot the episode was a working space, and Segal reveals how they only had limited time to shoot a key scene featuring Fanning in the High Roller on the Las Vegas Strip.
We learn so much about the characters of Margo’s Got Money Troubles thanks to Segal’s eye. We can expound on desire, sadness, and color because she invites us in and lets us know that watching and stargazing is not just allowed but encouraged.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is streaming now on Apple.
