The film paid to my attention by accident, like most worthy works before it. To be honest, lately I haven’t been following the cinematic life very actively, because the war in my country is slightly adjusting priorities.
I watched “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022) alone and in complete darkness. This contributed to my deeper immersion. I write the movie review a little later, because it took time to understand everything and enjoy the aftertaste
The film’s description reads: “A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.”
Nothing is clear, but the curiosity became greater, especially since I did not watch the trailer.
Authors, Actors
What do I know about the directors of this film, who are also screenwriters? Absolutely nothing.
Dan Kwan has made some mediocre movies, as Daniel Scheinert too. Their biggest achievement is several awards for the film Swiss Army Man (2016).
As for the cast, the situation is similar here: Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, Stephanie Hsu (Joy Wang), Ke Huy Quan (Waymond Wang), James Hong (Gong Gong), Jamie Lee Curtis (Deirdre Beaubeirdre). I remembered only the last actress, thanks to my photographic memory. The others were a real discovery for me, I was pleasantly surprised by the high level of acting.
Plot’s Dynamics “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
I don’t see the point in examining the script and course of events under a microscope, I have no desire to spoil it. I just accept rules of the film’s game, let go of my adequacy supervisor, just watch and enjoy a quality product of cinema.
This film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022) is absolutely unconcerned about your condition, it unapologetically swallows you into its visual-audio belly and keeps you in suspense until the end, not wanting to spit out your entrails even after the credits.
The dynamics and saturation are incredible, because of what film can become one of the benchmarks of script art, editing, cinematography, and acting at the same time. The teamwork resulted in another masterpiece that is worth watching and watching.
Music
A full-fledged instrument of influence that successfully combines all components in a cocktail of melodic encroachments on modernity, depth and wit. I didn’t like the soundtrack (the original song, which was nominated for an Oscar), but the overall impression of the musical series is positive. It’s not Hans Zimmer, but it’s not needed here also. Here the trump cards has another suit.
Acting
It is due to the phenomenal acting of several people at once (the main characters in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”) the film reaches unheard-of heights of artistic sharpness. Play a little worse at least one actor, this film would not be so powerful.
Usually, the dedicated work of an entire supporting team (costume designers, casting managers, make-up artists, director, screenwriter and others) is hidden under the acting. The expressiveness of a great game is achieved by the efforts of the team, but the final point, the control shot, is undoubtedly made by actor and his understanding of the events taking place in the frame.
Characters in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
Clear, bright, actively worked out and embodied due to good acting, lighting, make-up artists, cinematography, the efforts of the costume designer and make-up artist. Each of them is complete, self-sufficient and interesting. You want to explore, study, observe each character.
I call it the amorous spectator syndrome. Without total fascination with the heroes, there is not a single worthy film. That is why it is tempting to rewatch your favorite tapes from time to time.
The characters in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022) complement each other. Each of them is the embodiment of something (or even someone, a certain part of humanity).
Each of them is a part of the whole, and together they create a unique and magical drink that leaves a pleasant aftertaste you want to feel as long as possible.
Cameraman, Cinematography
I have already mentioned it several times above, but it is not difficult for me to emphasize once again on a strong frame. Cinematography of the highest level. This is a bar that everyone who wants to reach cinematic heights should see in front of them.
Although he (Larkin Seiple) did not win an Oscar in 2023 (the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was not even among the nominees), he still deserves compliments for this work.
Color
Pale, lots of green. Personally, I’m not thrilled with that decision (I’m a fan of red and blue), but everything looks good without much strain on the eyes. Perhaps that is why the style (palette) was chosen, so as not to overload eyes from a long journey.
Editing
The film is full of interesting editing decisions. Rapid changes of locations, dynamics, a lot of movement – all this impresses and makes you keep the entire tape in a state of tension and attention.
The fights do not look disgusting. I’m not a fan of fighting in general, so I can’t properly evaluate this part. A fight is a fight. OK.
“Small stupid humans. It’s like our whole deal.”
Everything is possible
A tree, a man, a statue, grapes, a dog, a jug, an alien, an Easter egg – rapid frame change in 12 seconds. As a result – one of the states, stone blocks on mountain top, where there is no life. It is a place where brain tries to process everything it sees, to find explanations, corresponding emotions, constructions, but, most likely, turns into the same stone, staring at the screen in silence, waiting for next second, which may not come, but may drag on to infinity.
“Everything around is just a random reorganization of particles of an oscillating superposition.”
The topics raised are very global and not for everyone. Common sense leaves cinema hall at the end of film, when non-trivial questions are asked and strong statements about essence of being, about importance of a person, about multifaceted nature of life, about infinity, about possibilities, feelings, and about fact that all that in the end is completely unimportant, are pressed into phrases sings in famous Linkin Park song.
Forgiveness, love, kindness, family values, the little things of life, whatever happens – everything is yours completely to every moment. These tags, thoughts come to mind after and during viewing.
Despite fantasy, unreality of what is happening, almost everything in this movie has food for rational reasoning and trying it on yourself.
Can a person be anyone? Definitely.
Can a person be anywhere in the universe? Yes.
Can a man create anything he can imagine? He can.
The film screams about limitlessness and obscurity. The film asks a question and tries to chew on answer, putting in its mouth a not always pleasant flap of thoughts and statements.
The braver ones, after watching, will experiment, try, fall, rise and fall again, moving towards their goal. Others will see in this film a handful of clever lines and takes that are not fit for food, laugh at a few comic moments and go back to their everyday life filled with absolute Nothingness. And each of them will live their own, unique, full-fledged, dignified life, each of them has the right to their own path.
Because nothing makes sense, especially at the end of road.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022) simultaneously teaches and soothes, instructs and sings, excites and lulls.
A little more about the movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
At moment, I was writing this review, the film has won 7 Oscars (Best Original Screenplay, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Achievement in Film Editing) and additional 372 cinematic awards.
UPD: a year after watching it, I have a desire to rewatch “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, I left in my memory general plan, individual frames, phrases, but as a cinematic product, such films have to be reviewed over time to find new facets again and again in the echo of emotions and states.
Such films want to be watched, they beg for it with the hum of silent memories in the dense memory’s thickets
As it often happens, a fresh review adds new colors, opens eyes to new elements, opens ears to new words and sounds.
Conclusions
Dynamic, rich, large-scale, non-standard, sudden, stunning, not for everyone.
Like every artistic masterpiece, the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022) should find in each of us its own response, a unique answer to the question – “what was it?”
It has no weak points. This is an exemplary movie that requires personal meeting with viewer.
All my words do not matter, because everyone will find something of their own in this masterpiece and will hold it deeply, being afraid to speak about it out loud, because it is extremely personal and does not have the form of words.
This is how art hurts.
The tape takes a worthy place in my collection “The best films of all time” with maximum rating.
I strongly recommend watching.
My rating for the movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is 10 out of 10
