Cosmopolis

Starring;

Robert Pattinson
Paul Giamatti
Kevin Durand
Juliette Binoche
Samantha Morton

Director;

David Cronenberg

In three words; Eccentric – Poetry - Madness

Plot;

Eccentric billionaire Eric Packer (Pattinson) is fixated on getting a hair cut he doesn’t need. He travels across Manhattan in his state of the art, yet chameleon like limousine. However, today is very much different for Packer then his normal routine which derails his attempts of getting to his favourite barbers. The traffic in New York is exacerbated by a visit from the President, a celebrity funeral and unrest from the masses.

Review;

Adapted from Don DeLillo’s book of the same name Cosmopolis is a social commentary of the current financial climate, consumerism, capitalism and everything which is wrong with the world. Pattinson is billionaire Eric Packer and throughout the film he is visited by associates in his hi-tech limousine where he is conducting his business affairs from. 

Set in a day in the life of young affluent New Yorker he has decided that he wishes to get a haircut at his preferred barbers which are on the other side of Manhattan. However, with the arrival of the US President combined with a Rappers funeral and riots in the City, the traffic in New York is busier than ever making Eric’s journey eventful to say the least.  

Pattinson’s performance is balanced, strong and very mature. He expresses vulnerability and loneliness with the slightest expressions giving his character depth and also proving what a capable actor he is.

He is joined by an eclectic cast which comprise of Eric’s advisors, security staff and his new wife. His relationship with his wife is odd to say the least, whilst there is a palpable emotion and mostly sexual tension with every female who visits him in his limo, when Eric and his wife meet they are almost devoid of emotion. Perhaps this is a compliment to Pattision and his on screen partner played by Sarah Gadon but also very important in providing the audience with where they are in their relationship.

Juliette Binoche, Samantha Morton and Kevin Durand stand out among the supporting cast however, the most notable performer is the brilliant Paul Giamatti. His scene with Pattinson would work better on stage, as would the entire film as it is very dialogue heavy. However, Giamatti lifts the film to another level with his man-on-the-edge performance.

Cronenberg has built a beautiful looking film which will be loved by some but lost on most. The Twilight brigade will certainly be the latter. His adaptation of DeLillo’s novella is scripted well and delivered with pace and directness. Without sounding like a knob head this is almost 109 minutes of poetry. But I can’t help but feel that this could be reworked into a dark comedy. The film sits on an interesting balance of art house and absurdity with scenes sometimes dragging on and perhaps even one could say irrelevant to the plot. However, it’s not Croenberg without a bit of madness.

Verdict;

3 out of 5.