Review of Cosmopolis (2012) by Tim S — 06 Feb 2013

To say that David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis is an abstract think-piece of a film is a bit of an understatement. Based on the novel by Don DeLillo, it tells the story of a wealthy young businessman who goes on a bit of a spiritual journey across New York City and encounters many different characters in the process.

The whole film seems very didactic in nature, but I don't think that that's entirely the point here. I think this is more about the dilemma of the lead character, played fantastically by Robert Pattinson, and his search for some kind of answers to questions that no one can answer.

That is, he doesn't know what questions he's asking and he's not sure what answers he wants, but he's willing to go the distance to discover them both. I liked the cheapness of the effects, particularly the view outside the windows of the limo.

At first I was put off, but then I realized that it's an idealized world and this is just how he percieves it: cheap-looking. Props also to Paul Giamatti for another memorable performance as well.

The film doesn't hold any answers for its viewer, but if you soak it in, you won't need them. It's more about the questions which are more interesting than the answers. It's not for everyone, but the spritually-inclined might like it.