Writer/Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks and Tilda Swinton
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Scarlett Johansson. Since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Johansson has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, comic-book heroines or lost lovers, Johansson has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Johansson’s strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Through her ability to portray characters that are compelling, Johansson has created a legacy that’s lasting. Although she is arguably best known for her role as Black Widow in the MCU, Johansson has suggested she can make strong movies in every genre. Throughout her enduring career, Johansson has made several memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Johansson and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Asteroid City” is truly my favourite. Released in 2023, Wes Anderson’s film offered a portrait of isolation. Packed with powerful production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest films ever made about quarantine. At the centre of it all is a fantastic role by Scarlett Johansson, who embodies an actress which strives to live a life of isolation. Ultimately, what makes “Asteroid City” a great movie is universal appeal. Unlike most movies made by Wes Anderson which are targeted to a limited audience, it discusses strong themes everyone will relate to. A riveting period piece about isolation, there are many strong reasons why “Asteroid City” is a commemorated movie worth seeing.
Set in a small American town, “Asteroid City” tells the story of a group of individuals facing isolation adversity. Scarlett Johansson plays Midge Campbell, a struggling actress with a strong devotion to a profession that she has always considered special. However, Midge’s life forever changes when she is forced into staying in an isolation town causing disaster. Faced with a restrictive quarantine, Midge is forced to question her devotions to a career affecting her routine. As all the odds are soon stacked against her favour, Midge begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible to ensure a bright future. Faced with a serious dilemma, Midge questions whether it’s possible for her achieve dreams in an intense profession that causes trauma.
Wes Anderson has often been fascinated with the themes of isolation. A fantastic filmmaker, Anderson has often made engrossing movies about loneliness. His iconic movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel” captured hotel managers in a state of isolation. With “Asteroid City”, however, Anderson created his first period piece about quarantine. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of individuals in a quarantine city but he succeeded tremendously. Through stunning cinematography, Anderson captures an actress that seeks to live in an isolated city. Evoking Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, Wes Anderson effectively uses the confined space of a small town to build tensions. For instance, the confined space enhances the small town scene. During this unforgettable scene, Midge is first introduced toward the town of Asteroid City. Through breathtaking confined locations, Anderson creates a portrait of isolation which is compelling. Confined spaces are often tricky to use in films. As Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” suggested, confined settings enhance commemorated movies about doomed marriage. Nevertheless, it works well. Through breathtaking visuals, Anderson constructs a portrait of isolated towns which is compelling.
Another admirable aspect of “Asteroid City” that merits appreciations is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired with M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village”, Anderson deftly uses the commemorated location of a small town to capture individuals facing isolation. Throughout the movie, the small town location enhances the quarantine scene. During this unforgettable scene, individuals are forced to isolation in a small town facing tension. Through stunning small-town locations, Anderson constructs a strong portrait of loneliness that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Alexandre Desplat’s commemorated music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that individuals that live in isolation bear. Through exceptional production, Anderson captures the tension experienced by individuals living life in isolation.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Asteroid City” is a film about isolation that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses scenes of silence to capture the lives of individuals impacted by isolation. Throughout the movie, Anderson successfully uses silence to capture the lives of individuals affected by isolation. For instance, the silence enhances the quarantine aftermath sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Midge spends her entire day stuck in her house in quarantine in silence. Through silence, Anderson creates a portrait of isolation that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Spike Jonze’s “Her” demonstrated clearly, silence enhances films about artificial intelligence. Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” hinted silence enhances movies about the Holocaust. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Anderson captures the lives of isolated individuals facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Scarlett Johansson delivers one of her finest career performances as Midge. Johansson earned praise portraying lonely lovers whose lives are lost in translation. With “Asteroid City”, however, she took on her complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a conflicted actress that lives in isolation causing adversity but she pulled it off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and strong in her most iconic role. Johansson has often excelled at playing emotional women under stress, and “Asteroid City” showcased her strengths as an actress. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentments of an actress living in an isolation. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actresses working in the film industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Johansson, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciations. Jeffrey Wright is remarkable, capturing the bright personality of a scientist seeking to run a city which endures a plight. Tilda Swinton is spectacular, bringing compassion to a woman seeking to live a life in isolation. Lastly, Tom Hanks merits praise. As a leader of a secret society, he brings comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Asteroid City” would earn appreciation of everyone capturing an isolated city. Unlike most movies made by Wes Anderson targeted to a limited audience, it tackles themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses themes including ambitions, isolation and government which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the concepts of quarantine to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about dangers of isolation that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Asteroid City” is one of those rare films about isolation everyone would adore.
Fans of Scarlett Johansson would absolutely enjoy “Asteroid City” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A riveting period piece about isolation, it celebrates an actress that deserves appreciation.
Nearly two years following the release of a groundbreaking film about individuals living in a city that’s isolated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to leave audiences captivated through her talents for portraying compelling characters in memorable movies that are appreciated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 