Focal Point Reviews turn the spotlight onto various films, to show the reader the foundational aspects of the motion picture, and how those various building blocks form its identity.
Logline
An aging Chinese immigrant is swept up in an insane adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes connecting with the lives she could have led.
Everything Everywhere All at Once was a refreshing breath of originality. It has been days since I watched it and I am still in shock by what I experienced. Directing and writing duo, Daniels, crafted a personal narrative about a Chinese American family’s life under the guise of a swashbuckling and mind-bending adventure through the multiverse. It has everything from high octane action to zany humor, and deeply philosophical concepts. It quite literally is everything, everywhere, and all at once. Fully realizing such an ambitious creative effort is something most filmmakers only dream of, yet this duo accomplished it with ease even when facing the challenges of a low budget. This film should be revered as an accomplishment in cinema for its inspiring creativity.
Visual Effects
Having great visual effects is a necessary component of the science fiction genre. Fortunately, Everything Everywhere All at Once has outstanding VFX. Whether it was the practical hot dog hands or computer-generated heads exploding into confetti, there are many sequences throughout the film that utilize heavy VFX. According to Wired’s interview, a small team of five people worked on the visual effects and achieved the blockbuster aesthetic while using a fraction of what big budget films have. It looks stunning and feels grounded within reality.
Performances
Michelle Yeoh gives a career best performance as our lead protagonist, Evelyn Wang. She perfectly incapsulates the struggles of being an enthusiastic worker while also attempting to be a mother, a wife, a daughter, and the savior of the world. Evelyn is a relatable representation of parents, which fuels the emotional core of the screenplay. Although, the most surprising performance was from Ke Huy Quan, who plays as Evelyn’s husband, Waymond Wang. He was the real standout in the film, playing one of the most endearing supporting characters in years. Waymond is not only a loving father and husband, but he also represents hope, even in the darkest moments. Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan display versatile acting by fluently expressing ridiculous comedy, joy, sadness, love, and hotdog hand-to-hand combat. Both actors are well deserving of every nomination and award.
Wrapping Up
Everything Everywhere All at Once should be experienced on the biggest screen possible. Between the gorgeous visuals, ambitious artistry, and wonderful performances, there is something for every movie goer to love. I can confidently say that it is not only my favorite film of the year, but my favorite film of the decade thus far. I highly recommend this wild ride. Support your local theaters and everyone who worked on this film.
