Some international critics claim that Eddington is Ari Aster’s most flavorful film. This may cheer up his critics, even if it doesn’t make much sense. What we’re actually looking at are Paul Thomas Anderson’s worst features, Inherent Vice and Phantom Thread.
The comparisons between the directors are obvious, even if Anderson is much better than Aster. The atmosphere and cast’s interpretation of the theme and treatment are the same, and you can feel a certain kind of “cool” affection.
Once again, the director did a good job of starting the movie. “Beau Tem Medo” is similar, lasting even longer than this new release. The first half is encouraging, but the second half is embarrassing. The same was true for “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.”
In his fourth feature, Aster recalls one of humanity’s scariest times, both with the pandemic and the resistance of many people and some governments to wearing improvised masks and avoiding crowds.
Joe Cross, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is a denialist sheriff who refuses to wear a mask or maintain distance. By treating him as the bad guy, the movie automatically assumes it’s anti-Trump. By showing him as an influencer, the film also serves to show that a malevolent star can destroy the world. exaggeration? Where does most fake news come from?
His biggest political opponent is Mayor Ted Garcia, played by Pedro Pascal. Although he is conscious and not a denier, he has a past that is often distorted and exploited by the sheriff.
Emma Stone reprises her role as Joe’s wife Louise, as is customary in films with Yorgos Lanthimos. She, like Phoenix, is a good actress who doesn’t choose her roles very well.
Louise dated Ted Garcia when she was younger, which becomes the catalyst for their rivalry. Ted is accused by Joe of raping Louise in the past, a lie encouraged by Louise’s mother.
Joe hates Ted because he represents the other side of people who trust scientists’ advice, even if it later turns out to be exaggerated, like the resistance of the virus on paper that Ted boasted to his son.
It’s worth saying a few more words about the direction of actors and actresses, a kind of danger zone in this new American auteur film. Phoenix isn’t bad, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that his acting is much better than in the James Gray and M. Night Shyamalan movies.
This observation says a lot about the importance each director gives to their cast. Actors like Phoenix tend to “overact” frequently, as in Todd Phillips’ “Joker.” Management needs to be in control, but this is not always the case. And that doesn’t happen in “Eddington”.
This also applies to Emma Stone. Even with the same director, the actress can exaggerate wonderfully. After comparing two Woody Allen movies, we came to a conclusion. “Moonlight Magic,” which she is great at, and “The Absurd Man,” which she is not very good at.
With this new feature, stones appear dull and faded. Yes, it’s intentional, but it’s part of the director’s misunderstanding that makes the people around the villain look like that.
A villain’s brilliance often relies on supporting characters who act as ladders, surround the villain with a kind of inspiration for evil, or act as a counterpoint to the villain. Joe Cross is not the model fascist that many moviegoers hate. He’s just a weakling, a coward who hides behind a gun and a badge.
“Eddington” maintains itself minimally while constituting a climate that protects us from the possibility of frequent violence. Unfortunately, once things start happening, the movie starts to go downhill, looking like a bad brochure in some scenes.
Ari Aster once again has no idea how to continue the plot after introducing the characters and establishing a tense situation. Then it goes downhill in the last 15 minutes.
About The Author
