Wes Anderson’s latest film Asteroid City is a confusing heap of characters and ideas which never seem to develop and become fully fleshed out but which possess enough charm and depth to keep the viewers’ attention in hopes of some new revelation which will make everything clear and meaningful. It is rather difficult to ascertain what the film is even about but I will try my best. The main narrative is a television production about the creation and subsequent staging of a fictional play called “Asteroid City”.
For starters, the film, as is typical with Wes Anderson, has impeccable set design, colors, cinematography, and sound design, which makes it a joy to watch even if the viewer has no clue what is going on. Needless to say, those who are not a fan of Anderson’s aesthetic may want to skip this entry as his eccentric style is in full force. Additionally, the film has a lot of deadpan humor and characters which act in exaggerated (and often hilarious) ways. This pairs nicely with the almost surrealist atmosphere of the film and many will find the performances to be quite comedic. The dialogue, while oftentimes delivered in a deadpan almost emotionless way, is still engaging and beautifully written. Anderson is able to make characters at least seem like they have some deeper development regardless of if they actually do. Perhaps this is due to the supreme intentionality and confidence that Anderson’s films exude where, even when they are at their strangest (and this film has some strange things), you can be sure that what is on screen is the result of a strict artistic vision which has been largely undistilled (for better or for worse).
However, the film is far from perfect. In fact, it would probably not be a stretch to call it (if I dare) somewhat of a mess. The confusing framing structure oftentimes seems to have nothing to do with the plot of the play and there are so many characters and ideas being constantly introduced that it is hard to keep track of everything. While there is an all-star cast, many of them are barely present in the movie, and those that are given notable lines and screen time aren’t allowed to let their acting chops shine as they are forced into subtle and deadpan deliveries. On the whole, the film seems to lack focus as if unsure what story it wants to tell. To its credit, the film keeps the viewer engaged hoping to see some new perspective which explains the characters intricacies, however, this can almost be said to work against it as many will feel duped once the credits roll and nothing is explained. There is only one short scene near the end of the movie that comes close to a resolution or final message/meaning but it is very short and not given the gravity to suggest that this was what the film was about. At the end of the day, the film falls short of delivering any strong message at all, which some have boldly proclaimed is intentional and the whole point of the movie.
This brings up an interesting question around what a movie needs to do to be successful. For example, there are those that would say the goal of a story is to communicate a moral or emotional statement that the audience can takeaway with them when they leave the theater. Others might counterargue that a film need only serve to “entertain” or pleasantly occupy a space in our mind throughout its runtime. I’m not sure where I fall in this argument but I would describe Asteroid City as a film that offers simply a two-hour long experience versus trying to convey a message or meaning; in other words, it could be described colloquially as a “vibes” movie. Stuff certainly happens during the movie but what sticks more in the viewers head than any of the plot points or actual story beats is the overall atmosphere and tone of the movie. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly is not everyone’s cup of tea and makes the film difficult to compare to other works. In that respect, I would give it high marks for uniqueness and originality but rate it poorly in regards to its story and emotional depth. At the end of the day, however, I am glad I watched the film (multiple times in fact).