Review of Cosmopolis (2012) by Patrick H — 04 Jan 2013

Cosmopolis was completely devoid of love. This is the problem, and the movie's problematic reflection of our society. In a capitalist world where wealth 'has no narrative' but exists only for its own sake, computers are ubiquitous and people in danger of being drawn into cold data streams, to become patterns in a modern day financial matrix, simple human meaning flies out the window.

I gave this movie five stars because its existential message is just that - there are two primal motives; fear and love. Cosmopolis shows a society that is based in fear. Leaders, such as Eric Packer, were at first afraid they would not have enough, but then get so rich that life loses meaning.

There is no feeling, only surreal, non-sequitur dialog. Eric finds he must experience pain in order to feel anything, and in the end cannot find meaning or connect with his own humanness. This movie is not for everyone, but if you have lain awake nights wondering at the meaning of life in the modern world, then it may speak to you.