Asteroid City Film Review ★★★★☆
Thank you to Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas for having Hub at their Blast Off! event.
Asteroid City is the 11th film by the iconic American filmmaker Wes Anderson, following other classics such as Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and The French Dispatch (2021), and delivers a nuanced, yet refreshing take for 2023.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The film operate itself begins by exposing itself to the viewer as actually being a story contained within another story, in other terms, the actual plot of the film is apart of a play, both of which is separated by colour. The play ‘Asteroid City,’ depicted in black and white, is being produced by the fictional director Conrad Earp (Edward Norton), who has pulled together a group of actors, and actresses to playout the content of his story (depicted in colour). The film separates itself into different acts, same of an actual play, but one that contains a behind the scenes view of the thoughts that run through the characters.
Onscreen, we are greeted to Anderson’s signature look, viewing a much-saturated desert, however purposely showing a unique softness to a cruel environment. The film’s protagonist, Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman), his eldest son Woodrow (Jake Ryan), and his three daughters, become stranded in a mostly isolated village in the middle of the desert. They are joined by a group of other characters such as famous actress Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson), group of talented teenagers (Grace Edwards (Dinah), Aristou Meehan, Ethan J. Lee, and Sophia Lillis. These people assemble for a Juniors Stargazer convention, hosted by scientists such as Dr. Hickenlooper (Tilda Swinson), and by the United States military General Gibson (Jeffrey Wright), that sees the talented children showcase futuristic technologies such as a moon projecter, pull-ray and more. Woodrow tops out winning the Junior Stargazer Award.
Its at this point the audience gets begins to become acquainted to the 1950s vibe that is common throughout Asteroid City, in particular to the locations, such as a classic red and white diner, trailer park, and even the many vending machines offering a variety of services, including buying a plot of land.
While stranded, Augie contacts the children’s maternal grandfather (Tom Hanks), who promises to come and collect them, however it becomes apparent that Augie has been withholding an important message from his children. After three weeks, Augie confesses to his children that their mother had passed away. Like anyone, Augie tries to find a form of solace, and chooses to distract himself by forming a mutual romantic relationship with his trailer park neighbour Midge.
Both characters demonstrate a real contrast, yet mutual connection, attached to the overarching plot of the film. Augie, a war photographer, is scarred by the experiences he has faced, while Midge, an award-winning actress, yearns for change from her current life, slowly revealing her despair as she learns her lines. From this point, the line between film, and play begin to blur, we begin to be shown the behind-the-scenes confusion and chaos that appears, as the characters we see face their own personal struggles, once again trying to distract themselves from the root issues.
The townsfolk gather in the crater, where six thousand years ago an asteroid impact occurred. That day or ‘Asteroid Day,’ saw an eclipse occur, despite everyone placing a protection box to keep them safe (carboard box), they notice a green dot appear on an inside lens. Quickly they throw it away to see a UFO appear, slowly an alien hover down to collect the asteroid that was lost, but is frightened by the crowd, slowly, this alien takes the asteroid and leaves, to the shock of the audience. The United States Military Places Asteroid City under a lockdown, to locate the alien, and brainwash the townsfolk to believing the event never happened.
During this period, we the audience get to see an interesting paradigm shift begin to occur within the townsfolk, especially between Augie, Midge and Woodrow. Each of these characters are all experiencing problems within their lives, instead of trying to address these, they instead choose to avoid them through pursing other interests, something apparent both on-screen, and off screen during the play scenes. Augie and Midge begin a romantic relationship to fill the despair of their lives, while Woodrow begins to break out of his comfort zone, working with the other talented teenagers to break free from the military occupation of the village.
Woodrow develops a romantic bond with Dinah, and through working with Dr Hickenlooper, develops a newfound confidence within himself.
Very quickly, the secret comes out about the alien incident that came out in Asteroid City, the military decides to abandon its occupation following orders from the President. Giving an address to the crowd, they end the occupation, until the UFO returns, everyone pauses wondering what will happen, only for the alien to throw out the asteroid (they were only inventoried it). The military attempts to order another lockdown however the entire townsfolk begin fighting the military.
Here the plot diverges. Augie abandons the set through a hidden door, he has had enough of the play, and chooses to meet the family’s mother (Margot Robbie). They both reflect on how most of the problems that have occurred up until now could all have been solved if everyone had tried to not run away from them but address them and work together instead. The scene cuts to another period, this time the original audition phase. He faces a mutiny by the cast members who each shout “You can’t wake up, if you don’t fall asleep.”
This phrase embodies the entire point Asteroid City argues to the audience. The common theme is that humans attempt to run away from their problems, then instead face them head on. This is particularly important given the current issues that face the world at this present time (climate crisis, war, social division, stagnation, etc). Asteroid City is an excellent cinematic film, delivering a much needed and refreshing viewpoint on the human condition, one that has unfortunately been lost since the COVID-19 pandemic. I highly recommend watching this film now, especially as Asteroid Day approaches. It will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on life.