Asteroid City is a Wes Anderson movie. For some of you that’s all I need to say. For others, well how do I explain an Anderson directed movie? Let’s see there’s a city, a multitude of intriguing characters, an asteroid, oh and an alien. Go for the imagery, the intriguing dialogue or the uniquely comedic take on grief.
Asteroid City the movie is set in the 1950s. We find ourselves in a fictional American desert town. In an Anderson movie the imagery is important, think lots of sandy hues and muted pastels.
The townsfolk are gathered for the Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention. Several out-of-town families have arrived, their children proudly holding homemade inventions. A handful of children line up as finalists and we wait for the winner to be announced.
However, when one child points out that a series of small lights have changed to spell out “today”, a world-changing event occurs. What does it mean for the inhabitants of town? Indeed, what does it mean for all of us? Will life ever be the same?
To add another layer (naturally) the competition story is overlayed with the fact that the whole thing is a fictional story being written by award winning author Conrad Earp (Edward Norton). Earp explains his writing to eager actors, sitting like obedient dogs waiting instructions.
Yet another layer unfolds with a miniature, black and white Bryan Cranston popping in and out to narrate proceedings.
The movie features a who’s who of the acting world – Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Steve Carell, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum and even Margot Robbie.
Asteroid City, talks to themes of science, curiosity, fame, purpose, the secrets of the universe and creativity, but most of all grief.
As the audience shuffled out, I pondered:
- As far as explorations of grief go, it’s pretty unique;
- You could easily watch the movie with the sound turned down. The detailed muted pastel imagery is enough to keep you entertained for hours;
- Infact with so much rapid dialogue sometimes you crave silence. But then another one liner comes to reward you for your attention;
- Writers and actors will love the take on the industry and inside jokes;
- Anderson fans will be pleased to see there is a train;
- It’s always a worry when three quarters of the way into a story a character says they don’t understand the play. If you find yourself in the same position, just let the action flow over you;
- The alien steals the show.
For more information go to Luna Cinemas.
