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R W -> RE: Ha (15/6/2012 6:37:32 PM)
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I recently watched Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood, which still remains as one of the masterworks of the last decade. Although there are many interpretations you may have towards that film, one main aspect of it is about the rise and fall of an oilman which spans over two decades. In the case of Cosmopolis, the new film directed by David Cronenberg, we see the day in the life of billionaire Eric Parker (Robert Pattinson) who loses during the course of the day, falls into financial suicide.
Without having read Don DeLillo’s novel of which this is based, this critic approaches this as a fan of the Canadian auteur. Whilst he is a master of body horror, Cronenberg does occasionally step into obscure directions from the typewriting insects of Naked Lunch to the sex-crazed car accident-lovers of Crash. The latter in particular bears some similarity to Cosmopolis, in which for a lot of it takes place in Eric’s limo where he talks to a series of characters about sex, violence and money, whilst journeying through Manhattan to get a haircut.
Like Taxi Driver, this is a first-person narrative as Eric is living in his own world in the shape of the limo, not bothering with the chaos from outside, such as a protest involving a large rat (see the film). From one conversation to another, there will be some that will not understand the film’s somewhat experimental narrative and certainly will be disappointed with its lack of action, of which the previews suggested. However, if you are someone who want to keep their brain in gear, Cosmopolis makes a strong point about capitalism as Eric’s lack of humanity and the massive wealth he is about to lose makes him an enemy of the public.
Just as Daniel Radcliffe manages to shake off the HP glasses when cast in The Woman in Black, Twi-hards will be surprised by the darkness that Robert Pattinson brings. This is a smart piece of casting as while the actor is one of the richest and popular celebrities of the century, but in the role of the self-destructive billionaire, he is unsympathetic and the actions he takes are quite out there, such as wanting to get tasered. Surrounding our anti-hero is a fine ensemble with actors such as Juliette Binoche and Samanatha Morton appearing in only one scene, although the truly menacing Paul Giamatti creates a thrilling and unexpected climax.
Like the controversial drama Crash, Cosmopolis will challenge and surprise audiences with its lack of plot or indeed action, but with Cronenberg’s atmospheric direction and a fantastically different performance from Robert Pattinson this is a standout.
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