COSMOPOLIS is one of those films that read better on paper.   It is a long and drawn out film that takes place during the course of a day.   The movie has some excellent meaty dialogue which makes me wonder if the novel written by Don DeLillo will be an interesting read.   I don’t like all of the David Cronenberg films I have seen, but he is still a unique filmmaker.   The direction and casting are always spot on, but sometimes the pacing and subject of the film leave something to be desired.  Fore every film like COSMOPOLIS, there are more interesting films like EASTERN PROMISES, A DANGEROUS METHOD, DEAD RINGERS, and SCANNERS.

COSMOPOLIS follows the limo ride across town of billionaire asset manager Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson) as he is slowly edging to get a haircut across town despite a threat on his life detected by his security chief (Kevin Durrand), a funeral of a music star, and the United States President being in the city.   Packer is battling his fortune against the Chinese Yuan while cheating on his new wife.   He is going to face off with his stalker Benno Levin (Paul Giamatti) by the end of a day that will turn his world upside down.  Packer is bored as he is doing his best to live in a life that has become unsatisfying for him as he rides around in his fancy limo where he takes his meetings.  His limo is like the Tower of Babel where he is on the top of the world as he cares for no one and his actions can ruin people.   However, Packer may be the agent of his own destruction as he amps up the danger for himself as he cheats on his wife and the limo goes through a crowd of protesters against the destruction capitalism sometimes brings.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Audio commentary with David Cronenberg which is a dry and informative track which tells the viewer about the choices he made and why in addition to what is different between the novel and the film.

CITZENS OF COSMOPOLIS is a 110 minute making-of documentary which is a detailed look at the genesis and making-of the film that features a variety of interviews with cast and crew in addition to a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the production.   I found this documentary much more interesting than the film itself.  It is interesting to see most of the film was filmed on a stage with the heavy use of green screens (and due to the heavy camera rigs mounted on top of the limo).

Also included is the theatrical trailer for COSMOPOLIS

FINAL ANALYSIS:  COSMOPOLIS takes some effort to watch despite some good dialogue and casting.  I found the documentary on the film to be much more interesting.

This review is (c)1-5-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com