Asteroid City

Story: Asteroid City sets the stage for a plethora of intersecting characters around photojournalist Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman) and actress Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson).

Review: Wes Anderson, the auteur of quirky visual storytelling, invites the audience into another whimsical world of his making. Composed of his unmistakable style, the film is an ode to vintage aesthetics characterised by meticulously crafted frames painted with a vibrant pastel colour palette that makes intricate set designs pop. Cinematographer Robert Yeoman creates a visual treat now synonymous with Anderson’s penchant for symmetry. The fictional Asteroid City evokes an otherworldly charm from the tiniest prop to the grandest backdrop, as Anderson’s keen eye and attention to detail are both familiar yet fantastical.

Each character, played by his now trademark ensemble cast – some regular to Anderson’s roster and others new – doesn’t get essential exploration other than the superficial because the screenplay doesn’t leave much room for it. Jason Schwartzman is a reclusive photojournalist, Augie Steenbeck, who takes his four children to a stargazing convention in the desert town. Scarlett Johansson plays actress Midge Campbell, who is disillusioned with her career and, by extension, the world around her. The pair have an interesting dynamic alongside a collection of oddball characters in interesting combinations, some of whom show up for barely a scene or two.

Unfortunately, with such a big cast, many get lost in the mix under multiple layers, often taking you out of the film’s experience. The subplots are interesting in isolation but less cohesive than one would expect with parallel narratives. The screenplay’s deliberate pacing feels sluggish as a result. There are also complex messages that aren’t apparent at first glance and would probably be revealed with multiple viewings. However, that’s an endeavour best left to enthusiasts who relish Anderson’s deadpan comedy and visual flair. Its narrative tickles the imagination but doesn’t necessarily prove satisfactory beyond the delicious eye candy. Yet, even if ‘Asteroid City’ isn’t going to win any new fans since it comes at the cost of a rewarding plot, Wes Anderson continues to be original and distinctive in his esoteric way.