Everything Everywhere All at Once

Scott Hardie: “It ruled.”

Imagine a movie that combines:

1) the emotional weight, stunning action choreography, and lead actress of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

2) the mind-expanding weirdness and hilariously inventive creativity of Being John Malkovich

3) the encyclopedic pop-culture riffing & reworking of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Kill Bill

This movie lives at the intersection of the above. Your enjoyment may vary depending on your tastes, but for me this was Heaven.

I laughed continuously as the film just kept topping itself over and over again with more bizarre ideas and clever jokes delivered at light speed, and I thrilled at the stunt and combat scenes that approached anime in intensity. But plenty of genre films have done that (if rarely this well). What distinguishes this is its emotional depth, using genre conventions to inform a very moving story of a family falling apart and a woman at a crucial crossroads in every relationship she has. I wanted to hug every character in the end. How many movies can make you cry about a pair of boulders? This contains enormous depths of feeling; as a friend of mine put it, you should to bring your therapist with you to see it.

And I haven't even mentioned some of the films' other major pleasures. The costume design by Shirley Kurata is dazzling, especially on the film's villain whose look evolves on a second-by-second basis. The set design by Kelsi Ephraim is gorgeous and frequently very playful, which is impressive considering that most of the film takes place in an I.R.S. building, the least photogenic setting imaginable. The cinematography by Larkin Seiple is subtle but relentless in searching for new ways to communicate the film's ideas, such as gradually widening the aspect ratio each time the heroine's mind expands a bit further.

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen.

− April 24, 2022 • more by Scott • log in or create an account to reply

Scott Hardie: This reply contains spoilers. Reveal it. − April 24, 2022 • more by Scott

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Evie Totty: “It ruled.”

I am so thrilled you saw this, Scott!

I love, love, loved it! When I saw Jamie Lee Curtis sitting there - like that - I squealed.

And when I realized who the husband is played by - more squeals.

The movie itself - indescribable, but extremely satisfying. I will say I’ll never look at bagels or hotdogs the same way again.

Such a moving story with all that … ADHDness splattered around. I would imagine some folks might totally miss it amongst the sci fi-ness.

The editing is what stands out for me - though everything Scott mentioned was also amazing!

Go see this, you won’t regret it

− April 24, 2022 • more by Evie • log in or create an account to reply

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Erik Bates: “It ruled.”

I don't know what to add that Scott didn't already say. This was a pure thrill ride from beginning to end. I found myself laughing constantly. From google eyes to hot dog fingers and expertly choreographed fight scenes with a fanny pack full of aquarium gravel, you just never knew from one second to the next which direction the film would take you.

− February 5, 2023 • more by Erik • log in or create an account to reply

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