David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis" appears to be a curious film. It's certainly not a summer tentpole, but the picture is nonetheless being released in early August, the week after "The Bourne Legacy" hits theaters. Counter-programming, or does everyone just have faith in the drawing power of its lead, Robert Pattinson?
And while "Cosmopolis" was in competition at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, reaction to the film was decidedly mixed. Our own contributor Simon Abrams gave the film a near rave review, one of the most positive critiques we'd seen. So that's promising. But other Playlisters have seen the film, and their thoughts are decidedly more critical. Where will this film land for you? Well, a new U.S. Trailer may help you decide, but to be fair, it's not drastically different from the various international trailers we've seen, though this new one seems to feature a lot more Jay Baruchel.
Co-starring Paul Giamatti, Sarah Gadon, Juliette Binoche, Mathieu Amalric and Kevin Durand, "Cosmopolis" is an adaptation of Don DeLillo's novel and centers on a Wall Street whiz kid (Pattinson) whose world begins to crumble as the stock market begins to crash during an epic limo ride across Manhattan. While Occupy Wall Street seems to be a big theme in the film, Cronenberg told The Playlist during Cannes that the film was written and conceived before OWS, and its prophetic nature was a happy "coincidence."
"Cosmopolis" hits theaters on August 17th in limited release. Watch the trailer below.
I liked the earlier versions of this trailer. This one feels like it was pretending to be a big blockbuster movie.
I'm ready for a thinking film. I just hope it comes to a theater near me.
I have read the book and found it a challenging read the first time but an interesting one if you are willing to give the brain some exercise. Nothing spoon-fed here. Saw a few of the movie clips then read the book a second time recently and everything sort of fell into place. That to me says a lot about the movie.
We have been so conditioned to expect a "soundtrack" to give "punch" to every scene that silence is too loud. Perhaps that is probably what the viewers find most unlikeable in this movie? Non-mainstream are always tricky, very subjective. I didn't like "Tree of Life" much either but my husband thought it was the best film he has ever seen. Similarly, some will love "Cosmopolis", while others won't get it. You have to see it and decide for yourself. You may be surprised.
i saw it, and liked it. it won't be for everyone though. it kinda reminds me when tree of life came out. not the story line, but many walked out of that as well. it's the type of movie that will be either a love it or hate film. typical cronenberg.
Delillo's writing doesn't seem like it would ever work on the screen and Cosmopolis is mediocre Delillo at that so all the negative reactions don't surprise me.
I've seen Cosmopolis a couple of times and I wouldn't hesitate to rewatch it one more time. It's a movie that respects its audience, as Pattinson said in an interview: it's up to the viewer to get out of the movie what he/she wants. For a lot it seems to be nothing but for many others the movie is indeed a blockbuster of the mind. You can consider it as a simple story of the downfall of a young multbillionair but if you want you can look at all characters as symbols of our society.
It can be useful to know some background of the story and to prepare yourself to stylized, even poetic dialogues before giving it a try.
I understand Cosmopolis isn't for everybody but I really don't get why so many people walk out. I would do so if a plot would be so dumb or silly that I couldn't endure the entire movie. Cosmopolis is just the opposite, it is a surreal story which themes are vere actual and confronting.
I respect David Cronenberg for having the courage to make this film adaptation of a difficult but meaningful novel and for having created a little masterpiece.
I respect Robert Pattinson for having the courage to take very challenging, even unlikable parts, for not chosing the commercial, big paycheck path but honoring the art house movies. He's superb in Cosmopolis.
a cronenberg movie that doesn't have mass walkouts is not a cronenberg movie i want to see.
@Martin Foyle, @Ramos: Worth remembering that most great films were misunderstood / negatively received upon release.
When was the last time a David Cronenberg movie got released in the summer? There have been reports of several theater walkouts on Twitter. The material won't appeal to that many people so expect lackluster returns and middling word of mouth.
Just finished it's run here in Dublin. Dreadful stuff, in my opinion, but it'll probably be remembered more for the mass walkouts it caused. 4 at the arthouse cinema where I saw it, an almost stampede like 16 at a cinema in a suburban mall, rest assured the same'll happen Stateside.