Cosmopolis

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan

Are we really lucky enough to get 2 new David Cronenberg films within a year? That makes me very happy. Especially since I found A Dangerous Method to be so dry and clinical. I like this film a great deal more.

Although the way it starts out it looks like it could be as dry and unforthcoming as the latter, however through all the waxing philosophical, a handful of characters start to be unveiled, growing sense of unease creeps up on you and the final scenes are just a joy to watch unfold.

While it's true the film is basically Robert Pattinson in a limo on his way to get a haircut while various people come in and have discussions, once you get into the slightly absurdist nonsequitur's and get your head around the themes through all the techno jargon it's surprisingly enjoyable. Probably not for everyone, there were a few who walked out of the screening.

Also they are lovely random bursts of unexpected violence, where old-school Cronenberg rears his head. There's also an absolutely hilarious, yet at the same time managing to be poignant at sad, segment about a dead rapper. Beautiful.

I also loved all the scenes with his wife. Sarah Gadon does an amazing job of conveying so much whilst maintaining this stilted emotionless tone that permeates the style of the film. Actually same should be said of Robert Pattinson who is just fantastic.

Cronenberg uses a lot of unusually high wide angles for his two way conversations. It's an odd feeling it creates and it certainly doesn't look like anything else I've seen, except maybe some Terry Gilliam. Certainly looks unique. The sound and music is very sparse, actually in the limo it's uncomfortably almost dead sillent except for the dialogue. The reasons why are later revealed but for the start of the film at least it's just another subtle thing that makes this world off-center.

Howard Shore again does music, it's very very sparse and only highlights certain small segments but it's pretty neat.

The first segment with Jay Baruchel had some dodgy greenscreen and I was worried the whole film would be like that, but they seemed to get better as they went along.

All you 99 percenters should definitely check this one out while you have the chance. I love that we got this so soon from Cannes and I'm sure I'll go back and see it again.