‘Cosmopolis’ DVD Review: A Long And Boring Ride

Cosmopolis DVD Review
Cosmopolis DVD Review
David Cronenberg films are known for being a little difficult to watch. Often there’s a good bit of subtly to the film’s actual message covered by complex and sometimes perplexing dialogue… and normally a fair amount of violence. Perhaps, it’s just that I’m partial to his films starting Viggo Mortensen (A Dangerous Method, Eastern Promises, and History of Violence), but Cosmopolis was a long limo ride to a slow, flat, boring conclusion.

The film is based on the novel by Don DeLillo and tells the story of Eric, a young billionaire (Robert Pattinson), who made his fortune by manipulating the markets. He has done no real work and has no real passion. In need of a haircut, Eric ventures across town in his fancy, pimped-out limo. Along the way he encounters various employees and individuals that he interacts with from the limo – always with an air of detachment. By the time the end of the film rolls near and you’re wondering if you’re going to figure out what the bigger meaning was, you’re just too tired to care. The journey is over and you just want the cerebral, robot-like dialogue to come to an end.

One thing that must be said for Cosmopolis is that Robert Pattinson separates himself from his famous Twilight persona. He’s no longer the teen heartthrob, and actually does have acting chops. Paul Giamatti also gives a solid performance, but by the time his character finally comes around, you’re more convinced than ever that Cosmopolis has long run out of compelling points to make.

The DVD includes a number of extra features including audio commentary with David Cronenberg, interviews with the cast and crew, and a special featurette – Citizens of Cosmopolis.

Overall, I wasn’t a fan of the film. It felt like it was trying to hard to be unique, but many critics would disagree with me seeing as how the film was apart of the official selection for the Cannes film festival last year. Sure, I get what the film was trying to say, and I even see the irony in having Robert Pattinson play the lead (he plays detached so perfectly one can’t help but think of what Twilight fame has really done to him on a deeper level). The only individuals I can really see liking this film are Robert Pattinson’s fans, but even David Cronenberg falls short on this one.

Grade: C-
Review: Emma Loggins

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  1. Gotta say,i’m surprised to hear that this movie isn’t great cos’s David Cronenberg’s “Eastern Promises” was one powerful movie.

  2. I loved Eastern Promises and History of Violence – I went into this expecting something similar – but this just wasn’t it for me.

  3. I haven’t seen Cosmopolis, but would like to. I saw Robert Pattinson in “Remember Me” I found it to be a powerful movie. One minute your here next your gone, ashes.