Since I didn’t see anyone talking about this I thought I’d create a thread for it. Wes Anderson’s newest film “Asteroid City” came out on June 23rd, and as is my wont, I saw it on opening day, and I’ve seen it several times since then. First, let me say that I loved it. I am an Anderson fan, so I’m usually on board with and looking forward to whatever Wes wants to do. Secondly, I believe the film needs a second viewing to take it all in. I won’t spoil anything here as the fact of the matter is there’s nothing really here to spoil. There are no shocking twists, no dramatic betrayals, no wacky over the top moments.
The only aspect that I will “spoil” is the films structure, as I believe that some of the negative reviews are a result of this. Mainly because they didn’t expect it and so they found it distracting or just didn’t care for it. 85% of the movie is that which you see in the trailer. The rest is not.
Essentially the conceit of the film is this: You the moviegoer are watching a black and white tv show. The tv show you are watching is about the making of a play, that’s told in the form of a play. The play that’s being made is called “Asteroid City”. Most of the film is the play within the play, which is what you see in the trailer, the rest deals with the creation of and making of “Asteroid City”. So you’re watching two stories with each actor in the movie playing two characters. Jason Schwartzman plays Augie Steenbeck, who you see in the trailer, as well as Jones Hall who is the actor playing Augie Steenbeck.
The film is also structured like a play in that there will occasionally be titlecards announcing the “Act” and “Scenes” within the act. Usually these are preceded by one of the black and white sequences.
I say all that because the trailers look like a simple quirky and cozy comedy set in a picturesque vintage post card world and it’s not exactly that. There are layers within layers and you have to pay attention to get the most out of some scenes which is why a second viewing is helpful. Once you know about the black and white bits and the story it’s telling, you get a more rewarding experience, imo.
The film touches on grief, being cooped up, existential crisis and wondering if “you’re doing it right”. All beautifully shot and executed whether it’s in the BW scenes or the color ones. I read one review lamenting that this film was Anderson and the “death of fun” or something like that. I didn’t get that at all. I thought this was one of, if not the most “fun” film of his catalog. Certainly outside of Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. There’s a lot of comedy, spoken and visual. There are no knee slappers or anything, but plenty of enjoyable moments of sensible chuckling.
The visuals are gorgeous and I loved seeing this one on the big screen with it’s wide open vista’s and gorgeous color. Do you *need* to see it on a big screen? No. but it definitely enhances the experience imo. Another aspect to the film that I didn’t catch on first viewing is how quiet It is. By that I mean there is no full score to the film. There are few moments of music by longtime Anderson collaborator Alexandre DeSplat, but aside from that most of the music (aside from the two tracks featured in the trailer and an additional song) is played off in the background on someone’s radio or record player. It has that cool echo effect of “music off in the distance” and adds a certain mellow feeling to the scenes it’s in. Like a mellow, half faded memory of times gone by.
It works to accentuate the wide open spaces and quiet grandeur of the desert. Brings to mind, for me anyway, of long ago vacations when I was a kid.
Anyway, for myself, I rank this up in the top tier of Anderson’s films. I loved the setting, the characters, the multi-layered world, the humor and just the over all feel of the film, especially the Asteroid City parts. I really love the ending scene leading into the credits. The music really compliments the moment well and it’s a nice upbeat moment.
If you saw it, what did you think? For Wes Anderson fans, where does it rank for you?
Also, in a surprise move, the movie is available right now in digital form on Prime and Apple Store. It’s still in the theaters and this was announced yesterday on the 10th! It surprised everyone because of those two factors. So you can get the movie at home right now.
Anyways, see it. It’s the usual palette cleanser for the summer blockbuster glut.
The only aspect that I will “spoil” is the films structure, as I believe that some of the negative reviews are a result of this. Mainly because they didn’t expect it and so they found it distracting or just didn’t care for it. 85% of the movie is that which you see in the trailer. The rest is not.
Essentially the conceit of the film is this: You the moviegoer are watching a black and white tv show. The tv show you are watching is about the making of a play, that’s told in the form of a play. The play that’s being made is called “Asteroid City”. Most of the film is the play within the play, which is what you see in the trailer, the rest deals with the creation of and making of “Asteroid City”. So you’re watching two stories with each actor in the movie playing two characters. Jason Schwartzman plays Augie Steenbeck, who you see in the trailer, as well as Jones Hall who is the actor playing Augie Steenbeck.
The film is also structured like a play in that there will occasionally be titlecards announcing the “Act” and “Scenes” within the act. Usually these are preceded by one of the black and white sequences.
I say all that because the trailers look like a simple quirky and cozy comedy set in a picturesque vintage post card world and it’s not exactly that. There are layers within layers and you have to pay attention to get the most out of some scenes which is why a second viewing is helpful. Once you know about the black and white bits and the story it’s telling, you get a more rewarding experience, imo.
The film touches on grief, being cooped up, existential crisis and wondering if “you’re doing it right”. All beautifully shot and executed whether it’s in the BW scenes or the color ones. I read one review lamenting that this film was Anderson and the “death of fun” or something like that. I didn’t get that at all. I thought this was one of, if not the most “fun” film of his catalog. Certainly outside of Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. There’s a lot of comedy, spoken and visual. There are no knee slappers or anything, but plenty of enjoyable moments of sensible chuckling.
The visuals are gorgeous and I loved seeing this one on the big screen with it’s wide open vista’s and gorgeous color. Do you *need* to see it on a big screen? No. but it definitely enhances the experience imo. Another aspect to the film that I didn’t catch on first viewing is how quiet It is. By that I mean there is no full score to the film. There are few moments of music by longtime Anderson collaborator Alexandre DeSplat, but aside from that most of the music (aside from the two tracks featured in the trailer and an additional song) is played off in the background on someone’s radio or record player. It has that cool echo effect of “music off in the distance” and adds a certain mellow feeling to the scenes it’s in. Like a mellow, half faded memory of times gone by.
It works to accentuate the wide open spaces and quiet grandeur of the desert. Brings to mind, for me anyway, of long ago vacations when I was a kid.
Anyway, for myself, I rank this up in the top tier of Anderson’s films. I loved the setting, the characters, the multi-layered world, the humor and just the over all feel of the film, especially the Asteroid City parts. I really love the ending scene leading into the credits. The music really compliments the moment well and it’s a nice upbeat moment.
If you saw it, what did you think? For Wes Anderson fans, where does it rank for you?
Also, in a surprise move, the movie is available right now in digital form on Prime and Apple Store. It’s still in the theaters and this was announced yesterday on the 10th! It surprised everyone because of those two factors. So you can get the movie at home right now.
Anyways, see it. It’s the usual palette cleanser for the summer blockbuster glut.
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