Many of the Indie Drama's conceits are addressed in Colossal, the cliché of returning home and discovering the real meaning of life being among them. It's also a hangout movie with a crew of barflies who engage in Cheers like conversations on life.
Alcohol also figures into the story, there's constant drinking throughout. Drinking never helps the characters, it holds them back and prevents them from moving forward. The bar itself, the setting where most of the movie takes place, looks and feels more like a purgatory - like that one in The Iceman Cometh.
As with all monster movies there's deep metaphor running through the picture. Watching Colossal it's hard not to think of it as a commentary on America being the richest (and most disruptive) country in the world. Americans have the right to act like irresponsible, drunken fools if they feel like it. Unfortunately American actions have repercussions for the rest of the world - which literally happens in Colossal. Look no further than the past election, the rest of the world, not just the U.S.A., will have to deal with whatever shit the administration stirs up.
Politics and drinking aside, Colossal is also well written and acted. No one plays passive- aggressive better than Sudeikus, his nice guy façade takes some ominous turns, a troll who lives a double life on the web. And Hathaway does an amazing job with the absurd material, moving from apathy to awareness in a believable character arc. One of her best performances.
With a year full of other monster movies due for release, Colossal will easily be remembered as most in tune with the times.
No comments:
Post a Comment