By Amanda Gilmore
Visionary Director Wes Anderson delivers a witty Sci-Fi about loneliness.
Asteroid City is about a TV show broadcast about a play that’s about people visiting a place called Asteroid City. Yes, you read the correctly. In typical quirky Anderson fashion, he brings us into this story through a character telling a story. In so doing, he delivers layers of themes that merge into one universal look at humanity.
Anderson first introduces us to a black-and-white TV Show with a story being told by a Broadcast Host played brilliantly by Bryan Cranston. He tells us about a playwright (Edward Norton) who was in search of a cast to perform in his new play that had yet to have a name — ahem…it becomes titled Asteroid City. Anderson then pulls back the curtain and brings us into the play, broken down with title card Acts and Scenes, and the familiar world of vibrant colour we’ve come to expect from the visionary arrives.
The play is about Augie (a fantastic Jason Schwartzman) who’s driving to Asteroid City with his son Woodrow (Jake Ryan) and three daughters. Woodrow is going to be awarded a medal at the Junior Stargazer convention in the town. When they arrive, Augie informs his children that their mother passed away three-weeks prior. This is the first indication of a slightly darker tone for Anderson even while being in this enchanting colourful world. He examines themes such as grief, loneliness and slight apathy.
While in a diner in-town, Augie and Woodrow meet actress Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson) and her daughter (Grace Edwards). Johansson excels in this quirky role that we rarely get to see her play. Her character is quite meta as she’s an actress who’s playing an actress in the play Asteroid City.
Augie and Midge slowly build a kinship as they often meet in the windows of their adjoining rentals. Angie runs lines with Midge as she rehearses for her next big role. Frustrated that he isn’t giving much emotion, Augie finally confesses. He hasn’t been feeling much of anything since his wife’s death. This leads Midge to tell him to use that grief and put it into the character.
For all of the spectacular visuals in Asteroid City, this is the most beautiful thing Anderson has delivered. This is a small but powerful message of how art can help channel emotional pain. He cements this theme when we return to black and white. As the actor playing Augie steps backstage and out on a balcony. He runs into the actress (Margot Robbie) who was going to play his wife before they decided to kill off her character. With only this scene, Robbie captivates as she delivers a monologue about the grief of losing the role but the fact that she’s now at a different production just next door. Things end but you need to feel and work through the emotions to move forward.
Anderson’s packed in quite an Ensemble that whom knock it out of the park. He also delivers on the Sci-Fi front. With a few scenes that are such fun that you’ll be craving more.
Asteroid City screens at Cannes ’23:
Tue May 23 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Wed May 24 at 8:30AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Wed May 24 at 8:30AM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE
Wed May 24 at 2:30PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Wed May 24 at 4PM at CINEUM IMAX
Thu May 25 at 2PM at CINEUM AURORE
Sat May 27 at 3:15PM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE
Tom George directs SEE HOW THEY RUN starring Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan and Adrien Brody! See some of the brand-new Trailer, in addition to some stills released recently from the Film.
Synopsis:
In the West End of 1950s London, plans for a movie version of a smash-hit play come to an abrupt halt after a pivotal member of the crew is murdered. When world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) take on the case, the two find themselves thrown into a puzzling whodunit within the glamorously sordid theater underground, investigating the mysterious homicide at their own peril.
Searchlight Pictures release SEE HOW THEY RUN in theatres September 30, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: Searchlight Pictures)
Right in time for the Holidays, comes this Wes Anderson-directed short film titled COME TOGETHER for H&M. We didn’t realize how much we needed this!
Starring in this 4-minute clip is Anderson muse Adrien Brody.
See the Short Film:
Discover the H&M Christmas Collection here, including decorations too!
(Photo/video credit: H&M)
Mr. Will Wong and Fox Searchlight (Canada) want to give Readers in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary a chance to see Wes Anderson’s latest Masterpiece THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL before everybody else! We’ve seen it and absolutely we were enchanted! Check back soon for our glowing Review.
Screenings take place tentatively:
Toronto: Week of March 10
Vancouver: Week of March 10
Calgary: Week of March 17
Official Synopsis:
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary Concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars; and Zero Moustafa, the Lobby Boy who becomes his most trusted Friend. The Story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting; a raging battle for an enormous Family Fortune; a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis; and the sweetest confection of a love affair — all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.
Star-studded THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL stars: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson and Owen Wilson.
See the Trailer below:
To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and state your City. You are encouraged to share via Social Media and you can increase your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:
http://www.mrwillwong.com/thegrandbudapesthotel @MRWILLW wants us to enter to #win Advance Passes to see #THEGRANDBUDAPESTHOTEL in #Calgary #Toronto and #Vancouver!
Fox Searchlight (Canada) release THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL on Friday, March 14, 2014 in Toronto, Friday, March 21, 2014 in Edmonton, Montréal, Québec and Friday, March 28, 2014 in- Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Victoria, Kitchener. Mark your calendars!
Mr. Will & The Cast of The Grand Budapest Hotel:
(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight/Mr. Will Wong)
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