TL;DR – The framing device does not work, but that is not a significant issue, as it is still an entertaining romp even without it.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was invited to a press screening of this film.

Asteroid City Review –

Wes Anderson is one of those filmmakers with entirely his own style and can delight or confuse. Before I see one of his films, I am always wondering which way the pendulum will swing for me, and I think this is one of his works that will hit people differently. As I have heard people gushing over it and others bringing a more meh response. But it is finally time for the film in Australia, and it is time for us to check it out.

So to set the scene, we are introduced to a Host (Bryan Cranston) that introduces us to an anthology TV series that is showing the story behind the stage play Asteroid City by noted playwright Conrad Earp (Edward Norton), which is then presented to us as the movie proper. In a small out of the way town of Asteroid City in the middle of the American desert, there is a crater, an inn, a research centre, and an unfinished overpass. Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman), a noted war photojournalist, has arrived officially because his son Woodrow (Jake Ryan)  is a Junior Stargazer. Still, unofficially because their mother is dead, and he is about to dump his kids on their grandfather Stanley (Tom Hanks). But things change when he meets Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson), and oh, the world changes.  

The style of this film is quintessentially Wes Anderson, all the flourishes are there. However, those flourishes don’t work unless the cast has wholly bought into the process. Jason Schwartzman is our lead and also a bit of the audience surrogate, as he is not ready for any of the quasi-sci-fi stuff going on in this town. He is someone you both sympathise with but are also slightly off-put by, and that is an odd conversation. I think part of it is that everyone talks like they are in an old-timey radio play, and it gets a bit stilted, where people are talking at each other rather than to each other. He and Scarlett Johansson had a very odd relationship in this film, but it works for some strange reason.

One of the best things about this film is that there are no weak links in the cast, with everyone going to 120% from start to finish. You have Stanley Zak (Tom Hanks), who is caring and stern, depending on who they are talking with. Also, General Gibson (Jeffrey Wright) is both in charge and out of his depth. Dr Hickenlooper (Tilda Swinton) delights in everything, and J.J. Kellogg (Liev Schreiber) is tired and just wants to go home. However, the real MVPs of the film are the young cast, who are giving performances of their lives. They are a constant delight at every turn, with a special commendation to the Faris sisters.

From the production side of things, everything is perfectly created in this world, even if it feels not quite right. You get the feeling that it is an adaptation of a play presented on a television that is three layers deep, yet you still get that vibe. The town of Asteroid City is a delight to behold, even if it does [intentionally] feel like you are looking at a set. There is an attention to detail that permeates every level of the production, down to every costume, every set, and every puppet animation. Visually vibrant, making the most of the Spanish locations and studio sets.

The narrative is where it is more than a bit messy. The movie in the play in the television show is presented well, but it never felt like it was used to its potential. The divisions between the groups felt more artificial than needed, which led to the resolution of the scenario not working for me. Having your central premise not work, would usually be the swan song for a production, but it is not here. Thankfully while it does not work ultimately, it is still varied enough to keep you on your toes. Also, the performances and scenario itself are fascinating enough that you spend the whole film with a smile on your face.

In the end, do we recommend Asteroid City? Maybe. I have friends that absolutely adored the film, so that might be you. Even with that, I still had a fun time here, and I think there are two scenes here [if you have seen the film, you know which ones] that are worth the price of admission alone. If you liked Asteroid City, I would recommend to you Crater.               

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Have you watched Asteroid City?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 


Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of Asteroid City
Directed by – Wes Anderson
Screenplay by – Wes Anderson
Story by – Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
Music by – Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography by – Robert Yeoman
Edited by – Barney Pilling
Production/Distribution Companies – American Empirical Pictures, Indian Paintbrush, Focus Features & Universal Pictures.
Starring – Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Stephen Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Jake Ryan, Grace Edwards, Aristou Meehan, Sophia Lillis, Ethan Josh Lee, Jeff Goldblum, Ella Faris, Gracie Faris, Willan Faris, Brayden Frasure, Kim Keukeleire, Fisher Stevens, Rita Wilson, Jarvis Cocker, Bob Balaban, Seu Jorge & Deanna Dunagan
Rating – Australia: M; Canada: PG; Germany: 12; New Zealand: M; United Kingdom: 12A; United States: PG-13