Directors: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood that earned fame years ago are as celebrated as Michelle Yeoh. Since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Yeoh has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s martial arts fighters, crazy rich mothers or suspects of murder, Yeoh has played several strong characters. Arguably, Yeoh’s strength as an actress has always been her powerful commitment. She is one of those rare movie-stars that has always poured her heart and soul into every role. Through her commitment towards constructing memorable characters, Yeoh has become a beloved icon in the world of entertainment. An Asian-American icon with legendary reputation, Yeoh has transformed into a beloved actress with a commitment to making movies earning recognition. An icon in China, Yeoh has always been one of those rare commemorated actresses with abilities to attract audiences to the Cinema through charisma. Throughout her long-lasting career, Yeoh has created many memorable movies that are definitely without doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Yeoh and adore all the films which she had made in her career. However, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is truly my favourite. Ever since its release in 2023, the Daniels’ Oscar-winning movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with strong production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best multi-verse movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michelle Yeoh, who portrays an Asian immigrant that endures sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Everything Everywhere All At Once” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Asian immigrants, it tackles universal themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a profound message about immigration which resonates with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about Asian communities, there are several strong reasons why “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is a movie that’s definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” tells the story of a woman that embarks upon a multi-verse journey to discover her identity. Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, a Chinese immigrant running a struggling laundromat. Evelyn is a frustrated mother that struggles to take care of a dysfunctional family which is a burden to bear. However, Evelyn’s life forever changed when she discovers a multi-verse that allows her to escape her harsh reality. Assisted by her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan), Evelyn is determined discover a multi-verse that’s full of endless possibilities. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Evelyn wonders whether it’s possible to mend her broken relationship with her daughter. Facing a dilemma, Evelyn starts to question where she will ever be able to raise a dysfunctional family in a multi-verse which is far different from China.
The Daniels are fascinated with the themes of parallel universes. Before they had directed the film, the filmmakers were well-known for producing movies in the comedy genre. With “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, however, the filmmakers created their first multi-verse movie. It was the filmmakers’ first attempt to capture barriers endured by Asian immigrants embarking upon journeys in multi-verses, but they pulled it off. Using bold cinematography, the Daniels captured tensions experienced by a woman embarking on a multi-verse journey. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as gorgeous as multi-verses that Evelyn seeks to organize. The Daniel’s seamlessly use montages to capture Asian women seeking to find their identity in multi-verse. For instance, montages elevate the multi-verse introduction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Evelyn is introduced to the concept of multi-verses in a business office by her husband. One admires montages capturing the hardships that Asian immigrants are facing. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As John M. Chu’s “Wicked” had suggested, montages enhance old-fashioned musicals. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, the Daniel’s capture hardships that Asian women are facing.
Another phenomenal aspect of “Everything Everywhere All At Once” which deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. The Daniels successfully use slow motion to stage action sequences which are engaging. For instance, slow-motion enhances the Fanny pack action sequence. During this memorable scene, Waymond has a frightening fight with co-workers in his office. One appreciates slow motion action capturing the lives of families in the multi-verse facing tension. Slow motion is a complicated technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” demonstrated, slow-motion elevates science fiction movies about dreams. Nevertheless, it works really well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Ryan Lotts’ music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden which Immigrant families always bear. Through phenomenal production-design, the Daniels capture families in the multi-verse that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Everything Everywhere At All Once” is an engaging movie about multi-verses which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses exposition to capture tensions faced by women that become the victim of multi-verses. Throughout the film, The Daniels successfully use exposition to create a multi-verse which is engaging. For instance, exposition elevates the multi-verse sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Evelyn attempts to mend her broken bonds with her daughter through explaining her role in the multi-verse. One appreciates exposition capturing the strong bonds between a mother and her daughter. Exposition is a complicated technique to employ in movies. As Christopher McQuarrie’s “Edge of Tomorrow” suggested; exposition elevates movies about time travel. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, the Daniels create a compelling multi-verse world facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Michelle Yeoh delivers one of her best career performances as Evelyn Wang. Yeoh gained appreciation for portraying king fu artists in Chinese movies. With “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman that embarks on a journey across the multi-verse but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in her most memorable role. With captivating expressions, Yeoh captures anger, intelligence and despair of a woman seeking to embark on a multi-verse journey to discover her identity. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for portraying characters with charisma. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most greatest actresses that’s currently working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of praise. Ke Huy Quan is spectacular, bringing a sharp sense of humour to a father seeking to control a multi-verse which faces disaster. Stephanie Hsu is superb, capturing hardships that a teenage daughter trapped in a dysfunctional family must go through. Lastly, Jamie Lee Curtis deserves appreciation. As a bossy office manager, she brings a palpable sense of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Everything Everywhere At All Once” Will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing hardships that Asian immigrants often are facing. Unlike most movies about parallel universes, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It tackles powerful themes such as identity, dysfunctional family and trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Chinese movies to appreciate it. It delivers an inspiring message about identity which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” is one of those rare movies about the multi-verse everyone would adore.
Fan did Michelle Yeoh will definitely appreciate “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and so will movie goers seeking thought-provoking entertainment. A captivating classic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A captivating portrait of Chinese families embarking on multi-verse journeys seeking to resolve issues everywhere all at once that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary Asian-American actress that has earned a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters that are compelling whose timeless movies are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 