Synopsis
Downsizing is about a man who decides to enroll in an irreversible program that will shrink him to about five inches high. His incentive for opting in to this procedure is the drastic increase in his net worth after the conversion. The story begins with a scientist discovering his successful experiment. It then fast forwards to his big announcement of the new technology and the problems it will solve for the environment by slowing down overpopulation and reducing waste. We then fast forward again. All of the economic and political implications of people “downsizing” has already set in.
Paul Safranek buys into the idea of “getting small” and he and his wife decide to go through with the procedure, after seeing that their meager savings would have exponential value and they could buy a house much nicer than anything they could otherwise afford. Paul wakes up after shrinking and can’t locate his wife. While recovering from the procedure she tells him over the phone that she changed her mind.
Starting over after loosing a substantial amount in his divorce, Paul tries to salvage his life and finds meaning and hope through forging new friendships. He devotes himself to serving others and finds purpose. Ultimately, he faces with pivotal choice similar to the one that lead to his downsizing at the beginning.
Whodunnit
This movie was co-written and directed by Alexander Payne (The Descendents, Nebraska). Matt Damon, Hong Chau and Christoph Waltz lead a remarkable cast. Downsizing was billed as a comedy drama, but it is really a science fiction film. The other co-writer Jim Taylor, also co-wrote Sideways with Payne and has a good list of credits himself. Payne and Taylor also produced. Rolfe Kent, known for his work with directors Alexander Payne and Jason Reitman, composed the soundtrack.
There are also a host of credits for set decoration, art direction, and special effects which are flawless. Phedon Papamichael, Director of Photography, also frequently collaborates with Payne. He also stands out for his work with George Clooney, among many, many other projects.
Review
It’s Science Fiction
I love good sci-fi. My favorite science fiction is the less overt kind where the sci-fi premise is just folded into the storytelling in a way that just feels natural. I also like when the “science is just accepted and not a lot of time is put into explaining it. I’m of the belief that if you are watching the movie you’ve already bought the premise. Over-explanation then, runs into the danger of talking the audience out of their suspension of disbelief.
Alexander Payne is a brilliant storyteller that does natural and humanity driven storytelling so well that you totally empathize with the characters and truly feel the levity in the humor as well as the weight of real drama. Every Alexander Payne movie is so good at reaching this human core and Downsizing is no exception.
It is exceptional though, in the way that it is able to tell a very focused narrative about a man in very real crisis amid a thriving backdrop of the political and economic climate caused by the rise and popularity of the downsizing technology. It is such a well crafted and cerebral as well as heart felt approach that is extremely rare and quite beautiful.
Reception
Critics and moviegoers alike widely despise Downsizing. The film suffers from poor categorization and I think that is part of why it sustains harsh criticisms. The marketing portrayed it as a comedy, kind of like a Groundhog Day. It’s been classified as a comedy drama, which is a useless category. Like Stranger than Fiction, a Will Ferrell comedy that disappointed many before ultimately fining its audience, I believe time will be kind to this film It holds up to the very high bar Payne has set with his previous films and the cast delivers genuinely strong performances.
There is another noticeable point that I think sadly cost the film much deserved respect and praise. Downsizing feels very much like an Charlie Kaufman film only with the nihilism conspicuously missing. Among complaints that the story meanders without focus (not true) are critics that found the film too preachy. I am a fan of Kaufman’s work, too; But his philosophy wears thin. I can’t for the life of me see what’s wrong with faith and hope and finding meaning in life. It gives freshness and direction to a genre that is all too often preoccupied with dispair.
Special Effects
Besides the story, I have to say how cool the movie is visually. The effects accomplish the ever changing sense of scale. They are masterfully executed. I couldn’t believe how real and seamless it all looked. Everything supports the larger picture in a way not too often seen these days. All in all Payne really hit it out of the real size park.
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