Director
Alexander Payne
(The Descendants, Sideways, About Schmidt)

Stars
Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz, Udo Kier, Hong Chau and Rolf Lassgård

You have never seen a film quite like DOWNSIZING before. Perhaps it can be described as another previous Boxing Day release, THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY meets HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS, but for a more adult audience (thank goodness they didn’t name this film Honey, I shrunk the bits!). Oh, and far more extraordinary too!

As the film commences, an incredible scientific breakthrough is achieved that will change the future existence of humanity. Norwegian scientist, Dr. Jorgen Asbjørnsen has successfully performed a procedure that will come to be known as downsizing, which reduces the height of that person to just 13 centimetres. Those who choose to “get small” are then relocated to their own specially designed miniature world, called Leisureland. With the groundbreaking, life-changing transition to shrinking gaining immense popularity, as life inside the idyllic world of Leisureland receives glowing reviews from its rapidly-growing citizenry, Paul and Audrey Safranek (Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig) decide to undergo the irreversible procedure. However, life remains full of surprises and fate cannot be changed, regardless of where you decide to live, as the Safranek’s are about to discover.

People may be shrinking, but DOWNSIZING enlarges its scale of utter brilliance at every spontaneous and consequential turn that is taken. This breathtaking adventure that you are about to embark on over the next two plus hours isn’t anything…ehm…short of being absolutely amazing. 

First and foremost, the premise that catapults the journey that is coursing throughout DOWNSIZING is internally consistent and conceivable. So too are all the capabilities and characteristics that are immaculately presented as well as the trigger that propels the very invention of downsizing and Leisureland. This entire section of the film, right up until it is time for our lead characters to bid farewell to their height, is hugely and broadly engrossing. Any hint as to where this incredible story ventures to from here ought to be kept privy to the advantage of its (hopefully sell-out) crowd. What can be safely said is that a vast array of colourful characters will acquaint you for the rest of DOWNSIZING’s duration. Many of whom are acted by recognisable Hollywood faces. Some appearances are fleeting only. Others remain more long-term. This is where DOWNSIZING unearths one of the truest & most beautifully conceived and written characters in any film of 2017. You will never forget Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau, from acclaimed TV Series Big Little Lies) who is just superb in what is one of this year’s acting highlights.

There are brief and sporadic moments in DOWNSIZING where the film appears to be in some kind of limbo. My advice – embrace the curiosity that this draws in and let go of any initial concern that this movie’s brilliance has finally come to a halt, for Oscar-winning writers Jim Taylor (SIDEWAYS) and writer/director Alexander Payne refuse to yield to any form of convention. Vanquishing all doubts that a drop in its high degree of filmmaking and entertainment is imminent, their combined writing works continually heighten the magnificent sense of adventure and rarely-achieved wonder that embodies this film.

The all-important conclusion to what’s been a most mesmerising expedition understandably amasses a considerable level of anticipation. Some may feel underwhelmed, or not even be sure how to feel, by the finale of DOWNSIZING. If that is you, then I say look to and reflect over the infectious love of life that is bursting from the screen and open your mind to the beautiful & wild ride that living life can whisk us away on. Adopting this perception, handed to you by the film, will prove that the final moments are as perfect as the film itself is.

5 stars

Viewer Discretion
M (Sexual references, coarse language, drug use and nudity)

Trailer
DOWNSIZING

Moviedoc thanks Paramount Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Moviedoc
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