Director
Wes Anderson

Starring
All of Wes Anderson’s mates….but most prominently: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks.

I feel there are two types of people in this world; those who are a fan of Wes Anderson films, and those who are not. Full disclosure, I fall into the latter category. I did however attend the screening of Asteroid City with an open mind and faint hope in my heart that this might be the film that converts me (the same way I go into any film starring Shailene Woodley….irrational dislike I have for her). Sadly it wasn’t to be for Asteroid City and I, and I remain perplexed by the phenomena that is Wes Anderson. So what I would like to suggest is that fans of his work, take my words with a grain of salt. I will also lean heavily on the opinion of my fiancée who is a Wes fan, and it is her that has rated this film (in the interest of fairness).

So Asteroid City is the latest fanciful Anderson creation, this one set as a world within a world. The first interaction with the audience if the beginning of a black and white television broadcast in the form of a behind the scenes look into a play about said Asteroid City. We’re introduced to the playwright (Edward Norton) and its lead (Jason Schwartzman), we’re soon thrown into the play itself, in its full vibrancy (thanks to the KODAK 35mm color/B&W film used to shoot the film). Set in a 1950’s town consisting of a Motel, Diner and a crater where an asteroid once hit, somewhere in the Arizona desert, there is no shortage of players; from the school bus load of children in town for a stargazing convention, to the cowboy bluegrass band and a Hollywood starlet (Scarlett Johansson) and her daughter. Then there’s Augie Steenbeck (Schwartzman) and his 4 children who have recently lost their mother…although they haven’t been told that yet. When an alien appears at the stargazing convention to steal the cities famed asteroid, the town is soon thrown into military lockdown, and while alien fever soon sweeps over the town, new relationships are formed between many of the town’s new inhabitants. We switch frequently between the ‘play’ and the television broadcast, to the creatives behind both, the relevancy of this is still a bit of mystery however.

Typical to Anderson’s style, the acting is very monotone and the humour dry, and whilst there are a number of genuine laugh out loud moments, there is also an overwhelming stink of pretention over the whole affair. There is the typical parade of Hollywood a-listers, but so many add little to no substance to the plot, merely their character is a device to bring one of Anderson’s mates into the fold.  Fans of Anderson will likely find enough enjoyment from the film, but it certainly isn’t one that will win over new fans. It’s also not likely to become anyone’s favourite Wes Anderson offering either. What is something to behold though is the cinematography and set design. Visually this is quite a magnificent film, sadly it’s much like a beautiful person that has nothing interesting to say; it’s nice to look at, but you don’t need to spend a lot of time on it.

Asteroid City is in cinemas from August 10

(for what it’s worth, my rating was a half star, so thank you to Tracy for giving it its more favourable figure)