David Cronenberg never has been one to be limited by the confines of genre. He continues to dare and shock and the satirical MAPS TO THE STARS is no exception to his impeccable Catalogue of Work. Perhaps one of his oddest Pieces yet, the Film has us in Hollywood following the lives of a psychoses-riddled Ensemble of Characters.
At the center of it all is the ageing and desperate Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore), struggling to revive her career, finding herself have to audition even to play the role of her own ill-fated famous Mother (Sarah Gadon) in an upcoming Reboot of hers. Coping with her own array of issues, she sees Dr. Stafford Weiss (John Cusack) whom himself is dealing with several issues of his own like his recovering Addict 13-year-old Benjie (Evan Bird) – a Justin Bieber-like figure in Young Hollywood. He and his Wife Christina (Olivia Williams) have buried a deep, dark family secret of their own which only can be hidden so long as Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) lands a job has Havana Segrand‘s Personal Assistant, making her way to Hollywood. Just what exactly will she unveil about the Weiss Family and what are her motives?
Maps to the Stars treads some uncomfortable territory with people being involved with people whom they shouldn’t be involved with, but playing out cleverly. Moore is phenomenal in her unflinching ruthlessness and young Canadian Talent Bird certainly is one to look-out for with a standout performance here. Fans of Robert Pattinson will delight in seeing him try something completely different, taking risks as aspiring Actor/Writer/Chaffeur Jerome.
eOne Films release Maps to the Stars Friday, October 31, 2014.
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