Wes Anderson's "Asteroid City" Is a Classic Precisely Because It Is About Nothing At All.
Why it is one of the best movies in the last 5 years.
As a warning, this article will have spoilers in it. If you haven’t watched the film, you should stop reading now, unless you don’t care, which in that case, read on!
Last week I had the pleasure of watching Wes Anderson’s newest film “Asteroid City”. After viewing it in the movie theater, where I believe it is meant to be viewed for the best possible experience, I walked out with nothing but adoration for the film.
In a time where directors, actors, and all of Hollywood are focused on heavy handed messages about the struggles and strife in today’s hyper-partisan society; Asteroid City stands out because it isn’t about anything at all. It is just a beautiful, fun, and creative story that takes you out of the reality we live in for two hours. It makes you smile, laugh, and dream effortlessly. Ill break down the movie section by section below.
The Cast
The cast of this movie is a dream team of actors and actresses. Bryan Cranston, Margot Robbie, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Carrell, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, and so many others that bring a certain groundbreaking gravity to this movie that can only be created by an all-star cast. But what makes this movie amazing is the placement of these A-List celebrities.
For example: Steve Carrell is the motel manager; a seemingly insignificant role to the story that could be played by anyone, probably even me. But it’s a role that becomes important because Carrell serves as a catalyst to build character into the universe the movie is set in. The role isn’t a main character role, and has little screen time, but the screen time it takes ultimately makes the movie more immersive and engaging. Jeff Goldblum plays the Alien and has all of two lines in the movie with a brief cameo, but knowing that it is Jeff Goldblum in the role, makes the movie better while not being thrown in your face.
Because of this placement, you aren’t engaged with the movie because it is filled with A-List actors and actresses. You’re engaged with it because of the rich universe that is carefully fostered and created by these master actors and actresses in every role, big or small.
But I must also turn my attention to the actors and actresses that are not superstars. What is great about the A-List actors being in the movie in both small and big roles, is that it elevates the stellar performances of young, up and coming, actors and actresses that are not household names. Actors like Jake Ryan, who plays as Woodrow, the son of Augie Steenbeck, and a young science genius with an invention that can project symbols on the moon. Others like Grace Edwards, Aristou Meehan, and Ethan Josh Lee also flourish with the support of the all-star cast and make the movie authentic and original. A truly stunning performance all around.
The Story
Asteroid City takes place in a desert midwestern town where our characters are attending the 1955 Asteroid Day awards ceremony for scientific advancements by teenagers. After an alien shows up to the crater in Asteroid City where the ceremony is being held, the government quarantines the town in an effort to cover up the attempt. However, the interesting and original concept of the story is that it is told from the perspective of a stage play rehearsal. We can see actors freely flow from being on stage to being backstage and asking questions about what the play means and how they are to best play their roles, among other questions.
The movie is broken up into acts and scenes as play scripts are, and the viewer is watching a visualization of a rehearsal taking place. We see scenes of both the director and the writer of the play coaching actors on how to play the parts, as well as auditions for the parts in the play. The transitions are well done, and easy to follow.
Through witty, fast paced, and intellectual dialogue about life and art, we find moments of comedy, drama, and profound realization. But what is the story about? What is the lesson that Wes Anderson is trying to convey in the film? What does it all mean?
Nothing. It means nothing at all.
Maybe that is the point of the film, maybe that is the lesson. That we should stop trying to search for meaning in everything. Maybe it’s that life is more enjoyable if you just sit back and let it happen. The only hint of a lesson that I grabbed from this film comes from two scenes.
The first being when Clifford, who is constantly asking people to dare him to do ridiculous things, is asked why he keeps asking people to dare him into doing ridiculous things. He responds with something along the lines of “I don’t know, I’m afraid to do it, but I’m just as afraid of being forgotten, so I do it, and I want you to dare me to do it, so you’ll remember me.” I am paraphrasing a little bit there, but that is what he is saying. The hint of a lesson I pull from this is that, maybe, we should just keep acting. Keep putting on the show just to do it, because life is more fun and more interesting when we do, and if we are lucky, we might just get remembered for our performance.
The second is when the entirety of the audition class begins chanting “you can’t wake up if you don’t fall asleep.” This again says to me that we should stop looking for meaning in everything. That not everything is as deep as it seems. That we should stop trying to “wake up”, because maybe there is nothing to wake up to, and we should just live our lives and keep the show going. It seems to be a commentary on people that are constantly trying to get people to “wake up”. You know who those people are. The Twitter muckrakers that spend their lives attempting to expose the great conspiracies of life, politics, and society.
The Soundtrack
I am a big soundtrack guy; always have been, always will be. A soundtrack can make or break a film for me. Asteroid City has a phenomenal soundtrack that brings a true western sound that fits with the period in which it is shot.
I can’t imagine this film with any other music than the likes of Tex Ritter, Bing Crosby, Nancy Whiskey, Eddy Arnold, Bob Willis, Johnny Duncan, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and more. Whoever it was that put together this soundtrack, they have a great ear for the sound of 20th century country western music.
I may be biased here because these are artists that I know and love. But I was disappointed that not a single song from Marty Robbins’ “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs” album made it into the film. That album is arguably one of the most famous 20th century country western albums that only Hank Williams Sr. could compete with.
Final Thoughts
This is all just my personal interpretation of the movie. But the movie being about nothing, says so much. It says that Wes Anderson doesn’t have anything to say. Because not every movie needs to have a profound opinion on life, politics, or society in order to be good. Some works can just exist as art, and Asteroid City is just that, a work of art that I adore.
One of the final points I will make, is that the movie has a gorgeous aesthetic. Just a beautiful movie, with great colors, sets, environments, and costumes. It is an aesthetic that I love and have in my own home and in my wardrobe.
It’s a work of art that I will be buying when it comes out of the theaters just so I can have it. I will probably see it again in theaters before it comes out of the theater rotation.
“Theater kids” rejoice! This movie was made for a crowd that understands the hard work and skill required for acting. You will appreciate this film the most if you participated in the high school plays or college thespians, as the movie draws on the stage performance and rehearsal format to create an original work of art.
I encourage you all to watch this film. let me know what you think about it in the comment section below if you have already seen the film. If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe and share it on your socials! I would greatly appreciate it, and thank you for reading!