APRIL 2023:
TOO MEANINGFUL FOR FILM…?
Everything Everywhere All at Once, the 2022 film directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, is an ambitious and visually striking piece of cinema that, while undeniably innovative, may leave some viewers feeling overwhelmed and perplexed. The Daniels produced it with Anthony and Joe Russo and Jonathan Wang; the film incorporates elements from a number of genres and film mediums, including absurdist fiction, comedy-drama, surreal comedy, science fiction, fantasy, martial arts films, immigrant narrative, and animation.
Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Quan Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who, while audited by the IRS, discovers that she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself to prevent a powerful being from destroying the multiverse. The film also stars Stephanie Hsu as Joy Wang, Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang, Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre, Jenny Slate as Debbie the Dog Mom, Harry Shum Jr. as Chad, and James Hong as Gong Gong in supporting roles.
The soundtrack for Everything Everywhere All at Once features compositions by Son Lux, including collaborations with Mitski, David Byrne, André 3000, John Hampson, and Randy Newman. The film explores philosophical themes such as existentialism, nihilism, surrealism, and absurdism, as well as themes such as neurodivergence, depression, generational trauma, and Asian American identity.
![Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (/ˈsɒrən ˈkɪərkəɡɑːrd/ SORR-ən KEER-kə-gard, US also /-ɡɔːr/ -gor, Danish: [ˈsɶːɐn ˈɔˀˌpyˀ ˈkʰiɐ̯kəˌkɒˀ] i; 5 May 1813 – 11 November 1855) was a Danish theologian, philosopher, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christianity, morality, ethics, psychology, and the philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony, and parables. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives as a "single individual," giving priority to concrete human reality over abstract thinking and highlighting the importance of personal choice and commitment. He was against literary critics who defined idealist intellectuals and philosophers of his time, and thought that Swedenborg, Hegel, Fichte, Schelling, Schlegel, and Hans Christian Andersen were all "understood" far too quickly by "scholars." Kierkegaard's theological work focuses on Christian ethics, the institution of the Church, the differences between purely objective proofs of Christianity, the infinite qualitative distinction between man and God, and the individual's subjective relationship to the God-Man Jesus the Christ, which came through faith. Much of his work deals with Christian love. He was extremely critical of the doctrine and practice of Christianity as a state-controlled religion (Caesaropapism) like the Church of Denmark. His psychological work explored the emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with life choices. Opposite Jean-Paul Sartre and the atheistic existentialism paradigm, Kierkegaard focused on Christian existentialism. Kierkegaard's early work was written using pseudonyms to present distinctive viewpoints interacting in complex dialogue. He explored particularly complex problems from different viewpoints, each under a different pseudonym. He wrote Upbuilding Discourses under his own name and dedicated them to the "single individual" who might want to discover the meaning of his works. He wrote: "Science and scholarship want to teach that becoming objective is the way. Christianity teaches that the way is to become subjective, to become a subject." While scientists learn about the world by observation, Kierkegaard emphatically denied that observation alone could reveal the inner workings of the world of the spirit. Some of Kierkegaard's key ideas include the concept of "subjective and objective truths", the knight of faith, the recollection and repetition dichotomy, angst, the infinite qualitative distinction, faith as a passion, and the three stages on life's way. Kierkegaard wrote in Danish and the reception of his work was initially limited to Scandinavia, but by the turn of the 20th century his writings were translated into French, German, and other major European languages. By the mid-20th century, his thought exerted a substantial influence on philosophy, theology, and Western culture in general. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Soren-Kierkegaard.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Plato (/ˈpleɪtoʊ/ PLAY-toe;[1] Greek: Πλάτων Plátōn; 428/427 or 424/423 – 348 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher born in Athens during the Classical period. In Athens, Plato founded the Academy, a philosophical school where he taught the philosophical doctrines that would later become known as Platonism. Plato, or Platon, was a pen name derived, apparently, from the nickname given to him by his wrestling coach – allegedly a reference to his physical broadness. According to Alexander Polyhistor, quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, his actual name was Aristocles, son of Ariston, of the deme (suburb) Collytus, in Athens. Plato was an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms in philosophy. He raised problems for what became all the major areas of both theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy. His most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas), which has been interpreted as advancing a solution to what is now known as the problem of universals. He is the namesake of Platonic love and the Platonic solids. His own most decisive philosophical influences are usually thought to have been, along with Socrates, the pre-Socratics Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Parmenides, although few of his predecessors' works remain extant and much of what is known about these figures today derives from Plato himself. Along with his teacher, Socrates, and student Aristotle, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy.[b] Unlike the work of nearly all of his contemporaries, Plato's entire body of work is believed to have survived intact for over 2,400 years. Although their popularity has fluctuated, Plato's works have consistently been read and studied. Through Neoplatonism Plato also greatly influenced both Christian (through e.g. Augustine of Hippo) and Islamic philosophy (through e.g. Al-Farabi). In modern times, Alfred North Whitehead famously said: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons](https://i1.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Plato--683x1024.jpeg?ssl=1)
![Surrealism is a cultural movement that developed in Europe in the aftermath of World War I in which artists depicted unnerving, illogical scenes and developed techniques to allow the unconscious mind to express itself. Its aim was, according to leader André Breton, to "resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality", or surreality. It produced works of painting, writing, theatre, filmmaking, photography, and other media. Works of Surrealism feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur. However, many Surrealist artists and writers regard their work as an expression of the philosophical movement first and foremost (for instance, of the "pure psychic automatism" Breton speaks of in the first Surrealist Manifesto), with the works themselves being secondary, i.e., artifacts of surrealist experimentation.[5] Leader Breton was explicit in his assertion that Surrealism was, above all, a revolutionary movement. At the time, the movement was associated with political causes such as communism and anarchism. It was influenced by the Dada movement of the 1910s. The term "Surrealism" originated with Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917. However, the Surrealist movement was not officially established until after October 1924, when the Surrealist Manifesto published by French poet and critic André Breton succeeded in claiming the term for his group over a rival faction led by Yvan Goll, who had published his own surrealist manifesto two weeks prior. The most important center of the movement was Paris, France. From the 1920s onward, the movement spread around the globe, impacting the visual arts, literature, film, and music of many countries and languages, as well as political thought and practice, philosophy, and social theory. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons](https://i2.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Surrealism.webp?ssl=1)
The film‘s greatest strength lies in its imaginative narrative and breathtaking visual effects. It takes audiences on a whirlwind journey through multiple dimensions, creating a visually captivating and disorienting experience that is unlike anything seen before in cinema. The directors’ audacity in blending genres and exploring complex metaphysical concepts deserves commendation.
However, this audacity can also be a double-edged sword. The film’s multilayered narrative, while intriguing, can be difficult to follow, leaving some viewers feeling disoriented and disconnected from the story. Its dense thematic explorations, including existentialism, nihilism, and intergenerational trauma, might be intellectually stimulating for some but may overwhelm others, making it a less accessible viewing experience.
Another potential drawback is the film’s character development. While it presents a compelling protagonist and a range of intriguing side characters, the complexity of the multiverse concept often detracts from the emotional depth of their arcs. This can result in a sense of detachment from the characters’ struggles and journeys, hindering the audience’s ability to fully invest in their stories.
Additionally, the film’s runtime, which exceeds two hours, can test the patience of viewers who are not fully engrossed in its abstract narrative. The relentless pace and frequent shifts between dimensions may lead to fatigue, making it challenging to sustain engagement.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a daring and imaginative film that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic innovation. While it undoubtedly has its merits, including stunning visuals and thought-provoking themes, its complexity and unconventional narrative structure may alienate some viewers, leaving them bewildered rather than enthralled. It’s a film that demands patience and intellectual investment, making it a divisive entry into the world of cinema.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is available now on Showtime...