Do you ever wonder about a version of yourself in a different universe, with a different life, a different fate, one in which you’re perfect? Well, the Daniels wondered, and here we are, discussing a bizzare mind-boggling movie! The 2022 sensation ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ is a mind-bending rollercoaster journey through the multiverse that makes you go “Arre Kehna Kya Chahte Ho?” right from the word go, but is definitely a must watch for everyone.
The movie opens with a messy Chinese-American household with Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn multitasking like an intern at work. She’s preparing a tax file submission of her laundromat, planning for a Chinese New Year’s party, dealing with her restless husband Waymond and also managing her teenage daughter Joy, who is struggling through a sexual identity crisis. Exhausted already? The movie only keeps on increasing the mess-ometer with time until you really start feeling that doing laundry and taxes would be a saner alternative.
The Movie Offers Complimentary Hallucinogens
The unconventional storyline backed with a powerful visual experience is what sets it apart from other ‘Multiversal’ movies. The visuals are nothing short of a psychedelic explosion of colors and kaleidoscopic effects that leave you in awe even before you can process things. The makers, by far, have set ‘Sharma Ji ka beta’ type cinematography standards when it comes to movies of this genre. Besides, why be high when you can just watch a hallucinating movie instead? And the fact that the entire VFX was done by a team of a mere SIX members, who worked from home (Boss, stop giving me the looks) is a testament to the fact that the movie was nothing short of a heartfelt project for the creators, and frankly, it shows in the results.
Yeoh is no doubt the anchor of the film. And it’s not just because of her thespianatic muscles. Right from her fine martial arts skills, to her comic timing, to her hot dog fingers (???), she has done an exceptional job in portraying the role of a badass yet sensitive woman, who perhaps has a lot to lose despite not having much at all. Waymond, the nebbish husband played by the exceptional Ke Huy Quan is a treat for the fans. If you’re someone who’s into 80s and 90s Hollywood, you’re gonna have a good time with his scenes. Watching these gems shine so bright, and clearly having a ball, really gave me the inner peace I was craving for. Another commendable part about the movie is the way the side characters have been written. No matter how small the screen time, almost all the characters have a heart and a soul, and more importantly a meaningful arc to their story.
“Every New Discovery Is Just A Reminder—”
“We’re All Small And Stupid.”
As complicated as the movie is, the part where it touches your heart is when the hidden social messages are sent across. The Daniels went all in to subtly discuss themes of acceptance, identity crisis, belongingness and the sheer insignificance of us humans enveloped in an otherwise mind-boggling adventure. This is why once you’re out of the cinema hall, you aren’t just occupied trying to make sense of the movie, but you also find the Vasooli bhai in you saying, “Kuch samajh nahi aaya, par dekh kar achha laga.”
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” is definitely a big and fresh break from your daily dose of monotonous content consumption. Its breathtaking visuals combined with unpredictable storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sure, there are a few bumps along the way, like some under-utilized characters and moments of head-scratching confusion, but rememeber to “Please Be Kind. Especially When You Don’t Know What’s Going On.”
