FilmSnobReviews

Title: Everything Everywhere All At Once
MPAA Rating: R
Director: The Daniels
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong
Runtime: 2 hr 19 mins

What It Is: An aging Chinese immigrant is swept up in an insane adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led.

What We Think: Everything Everywhere All At Once has been breaking records, receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, and has become A24’s highest-grossing film of all time. After having seen it during the final days of its theatrical run, we couldn’t agree more with the sheer amount of praise the film has received. Daniels has made another gorgeously unorthodox film about family, humanity, and most of all, the funny and terrifying thing we all experience called life.

What makes Everything Everywhere All At Once so enjoyable is not just its multiversal awe, but its ability to bring a simple story about a family at its breaking point into play that contrasts brilliantly with the out-of-body-and-mind imagery and experience, to an emotionally satisfying extent. The screenplay is smart and keeps the viewer on their toes – as with any “multiverse” story there has to be some explaining to do for the rules of the story world, yet here it’s brushed upon in just the right moments through the characters’ reactions and dialogue, making it fairly easy to understand while also expanding upon the concept itself. Our characters traverse different worlds, forms of media, and genres (with a particular Wong-Kar Wai homage that James very much enjoyed), while all still coming back to their core with Michelle Yeoh’s Evelyn and her family.

All the performances here are heartfelt and honest. Yeoh is brilliant as our fractured main character, with a stern sensibility and comedic moments that make her all the more loveable. Standing alongside her is Ke Huy Quan (who some may recognize from a certain Fedora-wearing franchise), who is one of the best parts of the picture as a supporting force. At times his character speaks equal volumes as the film’s philosophical themes even translate them into the different genres in which he and the other characters appear. Also, he’s pretty handy with a fanny pack. Speaking for all the actors here (Hsu’s fragility, Curtis’s hilarity, Hong’s stoicism) their emotional scenes are so beautifully performed and leave a lasting impact. The collaborative efforts between actors and directors have never felt so strong here – and the same goes for the ones behind the scenes.

It’s a tad mind-blowing that the entire VFX for a multiverse-spanning film only consisted of 5 people, and they made it look better than most blockbusters with millions of dollars. What’s funny about it is that they’re not necessarily going for realism, but they’re good enough to compliment the film’s unique story and visuals. Again, what’s presented in trailers and promo material may make it seem like your typical popcorn flick or coming-of-age superhero movie, but there’s so much heart at the core of the story that it will subvert any expectations in a good way. A simple story within a massive scope is always welcome to warm our hearts. The familial force that radiates behind the frames of Everything Everywhere All At Once will be enough to make you empathize with the characters onscreen, and feel at home while in the theater, especially if you’re a filmmaker.

Our Grade: A+; Certainly one of the best pictures of the year, Everything Everywhere All At Once is a breath of fresh air, with a terrific cast and crew, and even better creative minds behind the story itself. Don’t miss this experience in theaters!