A stunning work of art
A24’s latest release, “The Lobster,” is a refreshing change of pace and a must-watch for anyone looking for something new and exciting in the superhero genre. The film follows a group of people who are stranded on an uninhabited island and must use their ingenuity and teamwork to survive. The film is full of humor, suspense and heartbreak, making it one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen in a while.
Everything Everywhere All At Once is a mind-bending, visually stunning picture that manages to bring bags of creativity, a surprising amount of humour and a lot of mind-bending concepts that are likely to be lost on many people. In its simplest form, Everything Everywhere All At Once feels like Dark, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Inception and The Matrix all rolled into one. It’s chaotic, messy and at times nonsensically silly.
This film is a unique and creative take on the nihilism, family values, and mother/daughter relationships that is at its core. If you’re looking for something new and original on the big screen, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything else quite like this one.
Evelyn Wang, an aging Chinese immigrant, runs a failing launderette with her husband Waymond. Their daughter Joy is anything but, miserably tagging along and trying to find her place in the world. Meanwhile, Evelyn’s father Gong Gong also lives with them and helps out at the launderette. ..
Evelyn is thrust into a classic “hero’s journey” story as she’s approached by “Alpha Waymond” who controls her husband from another universe and warns that a massive threat is coming that could disband and destroy all multiversal life. No, it’s not the Scarlett Witch from Doctor Strange, it’s actually someone far more unhinged and close to home.
Evelyn must learn the ways of the multiverse in order to stop the threat. This includes connecting with her alternate versions and possessing their skills. So far, this seems like a simple task. However, Evelyn must be careful not to upset or anger any of her alternate selves, as this could result in them abandoning her and joining the threat. If Evelyn does not take care of her alternate selves, they may become a threat themselves.
Evelyn’s journey takes a turn for the bizarre at around 45 minutes into the performance. At times it can be difficult to discern what is happening, and I imagine that those not entirely caught up in Evelyn’s experience will dismiss what is happening as mere nonsense and clever theatrics for the sake of it. ..
This film is a journey into the unknown, and it’s a journey that will leave you feeling both inspired and terrified. It’s a movie that is full of surprises, and it’s one that is sure to leave an impression on you.
The circular motif in this movie is a recurring one. It’s found in the washing machines, the special bagels, and even the circled receipts. This is alluding to the idea of self-lessness and timelessness, specifically the idea of traveling in the multiverse and how it can help you see things from a different perspective.
These Easter eggs are a kaleidoscope of self-referential gags, ideas and satirical plays on films we’ve seen before. The choice Evelyn makes at the start – whether to go left or right – feels ripped right from The Matrix; there are references to Ratatouille; a whole fight sequence feels ripped right from a Jackie Chan flick; and there’s even a reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey too. These are peppered constantly throughout the 2 hour 20 minute run-time.
Despite all the chaos and jumping around in the multiverse, the heart of the film is a story about simple themes that will resonate with each and every one of us. ..
Everything Everywhere All At Once is a creative, chaotic trip that’s easily up there as one of the best films released this year. This beautifully written movie won’t be a masterpiece for everyone but for those who emotionally engage with this, it’s hard not to place A24’s latest on a pedestal as a stunning work of art.
