About the film (courtesy of Focus Features):
World-changing events spectacularly disrupt the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention in an American desert town circa 1955.
Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City will be sure to divide audiences. For big fans of Anderson’s work, it’s a feast for the senses, with beautiful visuals, meticulous production design, and a cast of all-star actors. But for those who aren’t fans of Anderson’s style or even ones that find themselves being middle of the road on his previous offerings, this particular film may be a bit too much.
The film is set in a fictional Southwestern town in 1955, and it follows a group of people who are attending a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention. However, the convention is interrupted by a series of world-changing events, and Asteroid City follows the characters, powered by a star-studded cast, as they try to make sense of what’s happening.
Anderson’s style is on full display in Asteroid City, and it’s a style that’s not for everyone. The film is very symmetrical, and the characters are often framed in very specific ways. The dialogue is also very stylized, and it can be a bit hard to follow at times. The plot has many moving parts that don’t connect tightly, making the experience feel convoluted. And one last negative, in my eyes, is that the pacing is painfully sloooowwww.
However, if you’re a fan of Anderson’s work, you’re likely to find a lot to love in Asteroid City. The film is visually stunning, and the performances are all top-notch, even though the talents are underutilized. And while the plot may be a bit convoluted, it’s still somewhat fun to watch, I suppose…
The A-list casting includes the likes of Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Hope Davis, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carrell, Matt Dillon, Margot Robbie, Willem Dafoe, and Scarlett Johansson. Anderson gets each of these actors to check their egos at the door because many the performances don’t allow for some their “signature traits” to be on full display. And while this fits for Anderson’s style of direction, these actors could have offered so much more, thusly making this a more fulfilling experience.
Overall, Asteroid City is a film that’s sure to be divisive. But if you’re a fan of Wes Anderson’s work, you’re likely to find a lot to like in it. Historically, I have personally struggled with finding enjoyment in the majority of his works, and this one was no different. As a matter of fact, it might be one that I’ve come to dislike the most over the years. It felt like a wasted 100+ minutes of my life that I won’t get back.
At any rate, if you’re still keen on seeing Asteroid City, it can be seen nationwide in theaters this Friday, June 23rd with some early showtimes on Thursday evening.
